News

Tighello snags spot from McKenzie

By Karen Forman in Adelaide, January 14

It was an unfortunate way to get a berth in an event, but Victorian rider Robert Tighello cannot help but be just a little grateful to AIS team rider David McKenzie for giving him the opportunity to ride in this week's Tour Down Under in Adelaide.

Tighello won the spot left vacant when McKenzie was injured in a training accident in Melbourne on January 11.

The accident, which left McKenzie with lacerations to his face and leg, requiring surgery, rendered him unable to ride for at least two weeks - which bumped him out of the Australian Road Championships, which he had particularly hoped to win to benefit his newly formed team iteamNova.com, as well as the Tour Down Under.

That left AIS officials to fill the spot from their list of reserves...but they didn't want to rush the decision.

"We decided it was fairer to wait for the nationals to be run," AIS and Australian cycling head coach Shayne Bannan said in Adelaide today.

"So we let everyone know that a good performance at the Australian national championships would earn David McKenzie's spot in the team for the Tour Down Under.

"Robert had a fantastic ride...he finished third...and earned the spot."

Tighello who showed himself to be in top form at the 2002 Skilled Geelong Bay Classic in Geelong last week with a third-place finish in the sprint ace pointscore and seventh spot in the Australian Criterium Championship round at Geelong on Day Four, was an obvious choice after his National's ride.

He took third place in the 180km event at Ballarat, ahead of South Australian Patrick Jonker, 1'31 behind winner Robbie McEwen and second placegetter Nathan O'Neill.

"We had a list of reserves, but we wanted to choose somebody who was really firing," Bannan said.

He is confident the last minute rider change will not have any adverse effect on the team.

"This team really only rides together twice a year...the Tour Down Under and the World's," he said. "Plus this year it will also have the Commonwealth Games. But the riders are all flexible; they know each other quite well and have the ability to come together quite well as a team."

He said the loss of McKenzie was not only unfortunate for the rider and his new iteamNova.com, but also for the AIS.

"He won the last stage of the Tour Down Under last year and is a very experienced bike rider," he said. "But we are fortunate that no serious damage has been done...although he will have two weeks off the bike."

Tighello said he had been looking forward to returning to the Tour Down Under this year following a good ride last year. "I have got a soft spot for Adelaide despite the fact I am from Victoria," he said with a laugh.

Although he admits he is in top form, he wasn't speculating on his performance over the next few days.

"We will see . . ."