Jacobs Creek Tour Down Under - 2.3

Australia, January 15-20, 2002

Stage 3 - January 17: Willunga - Willunga, 149km

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McEwen takes second triumph

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Glenn d'Hollander
Photo: © Tom Balks/CN

By Karen Forman in Willunga

It was a top day for the Aussies on the podium after the third stage of the 2002 Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under, held in the spectacular South Australian wine growing region of Willunga today.

While Robbie McEwen (Lotto Adecco) took his second stage win this Tour in an atypical style bunch sprint to the line and picked up the sprint points leader's jersey, New South Wales rider Scott Sunderland (AIS) took both third place in the stage and retained his leading King of the Mountain jersey.

Yesterday's stage winner from the ACT Michael Rogers (AIS) (placed 16th today), was second in the general classification between two of Italy's best here - Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) and Andrea Tafi (Mapei) - and the Australian Institute of Sport team is tied on 24.01.33 with the Italian based Mapei-Quick Step team for the Best Team award.

Not a bad effort by the boys from Down Under when you consider the strength of and rivalry between the international teams, particularly the Italians like Mapei and Saeco who admittedly are only in the early part of their season.

And they were only the Aussies who won. There were plenty of others impressing with hard-core efforts behind the scenes.

Anyone watching today's 149km stage, which started and finished in Willunga and included a gruelling 400 metre high climb over Old Willunga Hill, could not have helped but be impressed at the courage and tenacity of Australians like South Australian Patrick Jonker (UniSA), who finished 11th today and is sixth overall; eleventh-hour replacement for David McKenzie Robert Tighello (AIS), who was 15th and Adelaide born Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole), who was 21st today (and 11th overall).

Certainly, they had plenty of good old fashioned Aussie spirit cheering them on.
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3 kings
Photo: © Tom Balks/CN

The streets of the circuit were lined with people of all ages, some in fancy dress, others with beer in hand, or cheering from the verandahs of decorated houses. On the hill, they were lined up, just like in the Tour de France mountain stages, shouting and urging on their favourites.

Last week, O'Grady told Cyclingnews that the Tour de France mountain stages gave him a headache, because the crowds were so loud, but today the atmosphere was one of great excitement, huge support, a lot of Aussie pride. After all, how often do non-cycling folk get to see a group of 100 international class cyclists racing by, with accompanying support crews and media?

What they probably didn't realise is, just what an amazing sight they are seeing. As riders like Evans have said this week, the Tour Down Under has an atmosphere very similar to the great classics of Europe - the quality of the competition not withstanding.

While the credit on the podium went to McEwen, who is in top form and appears to be taking each successive win in his stride, bouquets must go to all the riders who stuck out what was a very tough and gruelling stage, due to stiff head and cross winds and a nasty climb.

In particular, those who had the courage to go out into the wind on their own - like CSC-Tiscali's Tristan Hoffman, from Holland) and Belgium's Glenn D'Hollander (Lotto Adecco). This pair held the bunch at bay for more than 100 kilometres after attacking at 23 km.

In fact, "attack" was the order of the day, or if you ask Sunderland, it was "wind, ducking for cover and trying not to crash."
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Fabio Sacchi
Photo: © Tom Balks/CN

At the start, all eyes were on yesterday's winner Michael Rogers (one second), Mapei's Andrea Tafi (five seconds off), series leader Fabio Sacchi (Saeco), Italian champion Daniele Nardello (Mapei) and McEwen (carrying the most aggressive jersey from the previous day). Evans, having his first season with Mapei Quick Step, is also creating interest.

Their comments before the start:

TAFI: "For me, I look to win one race, but for the tour it is difficult because I am not really a sprinter. There is a big wind today. If you want to go in front with three to four riders it is possible, but I don't know."

EVANS: "I am feeling much better and getting used to the rhythm of the race. Hopefully we will all attack everybody and win the jersey. Not me, I am out of contention (50 seconds down) but Nardello or Tafi."

NARDELLO: "Today we attack. Every day is good for attack."

SACHI: "I like the hills. And the wind is no problem for me. There is always wind in Belgium where I race and there are eight in the line...so I sit and wait for the attack."

MCEWEN: "I would rather wear my champion's jersey than the aggressive rider jersey because I have only been racing with it for one day. I think it will be really nice to show it to the crowds."

Aggressive start

The first attack came not long after the bunch had exited the 1.5km neutral zone and involved Servais Knaven (Domo), Glenn D'Hollander (Lotto Adecco) and Australian David Pell (United Water).

Another attack came at the 5km mark involving Jorg Ludewig (Saeco), D'Hollander again and Australian Robert Tighello (AIS).

For a while Hans De Clercq (Lotto Adecco) had a 250m lead on the bunch, but was reeled in. The minor attacks continued until the 20km mark when D'Hollander got away alone and was joined by Hoffman. As their 300m gap back to the chasing bunch widened by the kilometre, it became obvious they would play a significant role in the way the race would unfold.
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d'Hollander and Hoffman
Photo: © Tom Balks/CN

Hoffman won the first intermediate sprint with D'Hollander second and McEwen third. Henk Vogels (AIS) abandoned at this stage, suffering badly with bronchitis and telling commissaires he could not breathe. Meanwhile, back on the front of the chasing bunch was a sea of red Saeco jerseys. The team continued to control the pace for much of the event.

The second sprint clinched another win for D'Hollander, with Hoffman second and Jans Koerts (Domo) third from back on the chasing bunch. After such a trojan effort, it wasn't surprising to see Hoffman showing the obvious signs of pain at the 76 km mark. He was stretching, fidgeting in the saddle and bouncing a little - but still hanging on and doing his share of the work.

During the climb of Old Willunga Hill (km 129), Cadel Evans attacked from the bunch and caught Hoffman, who fell away from D'Hollander. D'Hollander (whose nickname is Dolly) held on to take the King of the Mountain points.

Things moved pretty quickly from then. A bunch of seven riders formed (Sacchi and his yellow jersey remained in the second group 100 metres behind), which then blew out to a group of 15. With one kilometre to go, Telekom was controlling the group - and Nardello, the Italian champ, hammered off the front. Danilo Hondo (Telekom) counter attacked but the wind was so strong, the field came together again.

It was just the situation Robbie McEwen had been hoping for. He loves nothing more than a bunch sprint. The head wind coming into the straight was monstrous but still McEwen managed to get across the line a long way before anybody else did.
Click for larger image
Robbie McEwen
Photo: © Tom Balks/CN

"It is a very windy day, very tough," he said on the line. "I was very tired from yesterday, the day before and Sunday. I said before the start I would take it easy today. I just managed to hang in over the climb and then I felt good. So I took advantage of Telekom's riding for the sprint."

Asked whether he thought his team was happy with him, he quipped: "Well, I hope so because I don't think I have got another one of those left in me this week."

His teammate Glenn d'Hollander was supportive, having also gained the most aggressive rider's jersey for his efforts today. "The break was a bit too long," he said. "The wind was hard. I expected to get more than one rider with me. Now I have the aggressive jersey and Robbie has the sprint jersey. We'll try and keep the sprint jersey."

"I'm happy of course that Robbie won, which is the most important thing. We're going to set for more sprints, like tomorrow."

For his troubles, McEwen won the all-important points, a painting by a local Aboriginal artist, a bouquet of flowers, a toy koala bear and the obligatory kisses from the podium girls.

As race commentator Phil Liggett said, it was "another Aussie victory."

Oi. Oi. Oi.

Photography

Photos by Michael Offe

Some more photos kindly supplied by Phillip Chia.

Results

1 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto Adecco                     3.38.55 (40.84 km/h)
2 Luca Paolini (Ita) Mapei Quick Step
3 Scott Sunderland (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
4 Danilo Hondo (Ger) Telekom
5 Gene Bates (Aus) UniSA
6 Bradley McGee (Aus) La Française Des Jeux
7 Fabian De Waele (Bel) Mapei Quick Step
8 Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) AG2r-Prevoyance
9 Kevin Hulsmans (Bel) Mapei Quick Step
10 Fabio Sacchi (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport
11 Patrick Jonker (Aus) UniSA
12 Inigo Chaurreau Bernadez (Spa) AG2r-Prevoyance
13 Andrea Tafi (Ita) Mapei Quick Step
14 Chris Jenner (NZl) Crédit Agricole
15 Robert Tighello (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
16 Michael Rogers (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
17 Max Van Heeswijk (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
18 Thierry Loder (Fra) AG2r-Prevoyance
19 Paul Van Hyfte (Bel) CSC - Tiscali
20 Kurt Van De Wouwer (Bel) Lotto Adecco
21 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Crédit Agricole
22 Mikel Astarloza (Spa) AG2r-Prevoyance
23 Koos Moerenhout (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
24 Simon Gerrans (Aus) United Water
25 Anthony Morin (Fra) Crédit Agricole
26 Dave McPartland (Aus) United Water
27 Daniele Nardello (Ita) Mapei Quick Step
28 Nicolas Vogondy (Fra) La Française Des Jeux
29 Ashley Humbert (Aus) United Water
30 Bobby Julich (USA) Telekom
31 Biagio Conte (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport
32 Steffen Wesemann (Ger) Telekom
33 Cadel Evans (Aus) Mapei Quick Step
34 Peter Dawson (Aus) United Water                        0.14
35 Tomas Konecny (Cze) Domo Farm Frites
36 Kai Hundertmarck (Ger) Telekom
37 Robert Bartko (Ger) Telekom
38 Jens Heppner (Ger) Telekom
39 Joerg Ludewig (Ger) Saeco-Longoni Sport                1.17
40 Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) Crédit Agricole
41 Frederic Bessy (Fra) Crédit Agricole
42 Mark Renshaw (Aus) United Water                        4.10
43 Servais Knaven (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
44 Julian Dean (NZl) CSC - Tiscali
45 Sebastian Hinault (Fra) Crédit Agricole
46 Luke Roberts (Aus) UniSA
47 Gorik Gardeyn (Bel) Lotto Adecco
48 David Kopp (Ger) Telekom
49 Bruce McIntosh (Aus) United Water
50 Regis Lhuillier (Fra) La Française Des Jeux
51 Thomas Bodo (Fra) La Française Des Jeux
52 Innar Mandoja (Est) AG2r-Prevoyance
53 Laszlo Bodrogi (Hun) Mapei Quick Step
54 Oscar Mason (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport
55 Stefan Van Dijk (Ned) Lotto Adecco
56 Adrian Laidler (Aus) UniSA
57 Steve Cunningham (Aus) UniSA
58 Russell Van Hout (Aus) UniSA
59 Glenn d'Hollander (Bel) Lotto Adecco
60 David Pell (Aus) United Water
61 Igor Astarloa (Spa) Saeco-Longoni Sport
62 Geert Van Bondt (Bel) CSC - Tiscali
63 Tristan Hoffman (Ned) CSC - Tiscali
64 Bram Tankink (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
65 Frederick Guesdon (Fra) La Française Des Jeux
66 Allan Davis (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
67 Hans De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Adecco
68 Scott Davis (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
69 Jurgen Van Goolen (Bel) Domo Farm Frites               7.32
70 Daniel Mackey (Aus) United Water
71 Corey Sweet (Aus) UniSA                                9.12
72 Raphael Jeune (Fra) CSC - Tiscali
73 Brett Lancaster (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
74 Carlos Da Cruz (Fra) La Française Des Jeux
75 Lauri Aus (Est) AG2r-Prevoyance
76 Fred Rodriguez (USA) Domo Farm Frites
77 Jonathan Vaughters (USA) Crédit Agricole
78 Steve Williams (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
79 Jans Koerts (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
80 Jakob Piil (Den) CSC - Tiscali
81 Niko Eeckhout (Bel) Lotto Adecco
82 Bjarke Nielsen (Den) CSC - Tiscali
83 Ief Verbrugghe (Bel) Lotto Adecco
84 Brett Aitken (Aus) UniSA
85 Anthony Langella (Fra) Crédit Agricole
86 Brad Davidson (Aus) Saeco-Longoni Sport
87 Jaan Kirsipuu (Est) AG2r-Prevoyance
88 Baden Cooke (Aus) La Française Des Jeux
89 Matt Wilson (Aus) La Française Des Jeux
90 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Telekom
91 Stefano Zanini (Ita) Mapei Quick Step
92 Arvis Piziks (Lat) CSC - Tiscali
93 Gerrit Glomser (Aut) Saeco-Longoni Sport              11.31
94 Christian Pepoli (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport            11.32
DNF Henk Vogels (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
 
General classification after stage 3
 
1 Fabio Sacchi (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport               7.59.54
2 Michael Rogers (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport      0.01
3 Andrea Tafi (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                      0.05
4 Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) AG2r-Prevoyance               0.07
5 Paul Van Hyfte (Bel) CSC - Tiscali
6 Patrick Jonker (Aus) UniSA
7 Anthony Morin (Fra) Crédit Agricole
8 Daniele Nardello (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                 0.45
9 Robert Tighello (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport     0.48
10 Inigo Chaurreau Bernadez (Spa) AG2r-Prevoyance         0.50
11 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Crédit Agricole                   0.54
12 Steffen Wesemann (Ger) Telekom                         0.56
13 Biagio Conte (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport
14 Cadel Evans (Aus) Mapei Quick Step
15 Scott Davis (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport        5.06
16 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto Adecco                       8.04
17 Kevin Hulsmans (Bel) Mapei Quick Step                  8.06
18 Dave McPartland (Aus) United Water
19 Gene Bates (Aus) UniSA
20 Luca Paolini (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                    8.09
21 Scott Sunderland (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
22 Bobby Julich (USA) Telekom                             8.13
23 Max Van Heeswijk (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
24 Fabian De Waele (Bel) Mapei Quick Step
25 Bradley McGee (Aus) La Française Des Jeux
26 Chris Jenner (NZl) Crédit Agricole
27 Ashley Humbert (Aus) United Water
28 Mikel Astarloza (Spa) AG2r-Prevoyance
29 Thierry Loder (Fra) AG2r-Prevoyance
30 Kurt Van De Wouwer (Bel) Lotto Adecco
31 Danilo Hondo (Ger) Telekom
32 Simon Gerrans (Aus) United Water
33 Nicolas Vogondy (Fra) La Française Des Jeux
34 Koos Moerenhout (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
35 Robert Bartko (Ger) Telekom                            8.24
36 Peter Dawson (Aus) United Water                        8.27
37 Jens Heppner (Ger) Telekom
38 Tomas Konecny (Cze) Domo Farm Frites
39 Kai Hundertmarck (Ger) Telekom
40 Joerg Ludewig (Ger) Saeco-Longoni Sport                9.30
41 Frederic Bessy (Fra) Crédit Agricole
42 Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) Crédit Agricole
43 Mark Renshaw (Aus) United Water                       12.16
44 Servais Knaven (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
45 Bruce McIntosh (Aus) United Water
46 Glenn d'Hollander (Bel) Lotto Adecco                  12.18
47 Tristan Hoffman (Ned) CSC - Tiscali
48 David Kopp (Ger) Telekom                              12.20
49 Luke Roberts (Aus) UniSA
50 Steve Cunningham (Aus) UniSA
51 Thomas Bodo (Fra) La Française Des Jeux               12.23
52 David Pell (Aus) United Water
53 Oscar Mason (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport
54 Allan Davis (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
55 Frederick Guesdon (Fra) La Française Des Jeux
56 Laszlo Bodrogi (Hun) Mapei Quick Step
57 Julian Dean (NZl) CSC - Tiscali
58 Russell Van Hout (Aus) UniSA
59 Gorik Gardeyn (Bel) Lotto Adecco
60 Innar Mandoja (Est) AG2r-Prevoyance
61 Sebastian Hinault (Fra) Crédit Agricole
62 Stefan Van Dijk (Ned) Lotto Adecco
63 Igor Astarloa (Spa) Saeco-Longoni Sport
64 Hans De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Adecco
65 Geert Van Bondt (Bel) CSC - Tiscali
66 Adrian Laidler (Aus) UniSA
67 Regis Lhuillier (Fra) La Française Des Jeux
68 Bram Tankink (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
69 Jurgen Van Goolen (Bel) Domo Farm Frites              15.45
70 Jonathan Vaughters (USA) Crédit Agricole              17.22
71 Jakob Piil (Den) CSC - Tiscali
72 Jans Koerts (Ned) Domo Farm Frites                    17.24
73 Stefano Zanini (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                 17.25
74 Baden Cooke (Aus) La Française Des Jeux
75 Corey Sweet (Aus) UniSA
76 Brett Aitken (Aus) UniSA
77 Bjarke Nielsen (Den) CSC - Tiscali
78 Raphael Jeune (Fra) CSC - Tiscali
79 Fred Rodriguez (USA) Domo Farm Frites
80 Brett Lancaster (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
81 Anthony Langella (Fra) Crédit Agricole
82 Brad Davidson (Aus) Saeco-Longoni Sport
83 Carlos Da Cruz (Fra) La Française Des Jeux
84 Niko Eeckhout (Bel) Lotto Adecco
85 Steve Williams (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
86 Lauri Aus (Est) AG2r-Prevoyance
87 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Telekom
88 Jaan Kirsipuu (Est) AG2r-Prevoyance
89 Arvis Piziks (Lat) CSC - Tiscali
90 Ief Verbrugghe (Bel) Lotto Adecco                     19.17
91 Gerrit Glomser (Aut) Saeco-Longoni Sport              19.44
92 Christian Pepoli (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport            19.45
93 Matt Wilson (Aus) La Française Des Jeux               36.27
94 Daniel Mackey (Aus) United Water                      46.47
 
Points classification
 
1 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto Adecco                          20 pts
2 Jans Koerts (Ned) Domo Farm Frites                        14
3 Fabio Sacchi (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport                    12
4 Glenn d'Hollander (Bel) Lotto Adecco                      10
5 Tristan Hoffman (Ned) CSC - Tiscali                       10
6 Michael Rogers (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport         8
7 Scott Sunderland (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport       8
8 Daniele Nardello (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                    6
9 Corey Sweet (Aus) UniSA                                    6
10 Luca Paolini (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                       6
11 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Crédit Agricole                      4
12 Andrea Tafi (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                        4
 
Mountains classification
 
1 Scott Sunderland (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport      22 pts
2 Glenn d'Hollander (Bel) Lotto Adecco                      16
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) Mapei Quick Step                        12
4 Russell Van Hout (Aus) UniSA                              12
5 Daniele Nardello (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                    8
6 Nicolas Vogondy (Fra) La Française Des Jeux                8
7 Joerg Ludewig (Ger) Saeco-Longoni Sport                    6
8 Michael Rogers (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport         4
9 Brad Davidson (Aus) Saeco-Longoni Sport                    4
 
U23 classification
 
1 Dave McPartland (Aus) United Water                   8.08.00
2 Gene Bates (Aus) UniSA
3 Ashley Humbert (Aus) United Water                       0.07
4 Simon Gerrans (Aus) United Water
5 Peter Dawson (Aus) United Water                         0.21
6 Mark Renshaw (Aus) United Water                         4.10
7 Bruce McIntosh (Aus) United Water
8 Thomas Bodo (Fra) La Française Des Jeux                 4.17
9 David Pell (Aus) United Water
10 Allan Davis (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
11 Gorik Gardeyn (Bel) Lotto Adecco
12 Adrian Laidler (Aus) UniSA
13 Regis Lhuillier (Fra) La Française Des Jeux
14 Jurgen Van Goolen (Bel) Domo Farm Frites               7.39
15 Brad Davidson (Aus) Saeco-Longoni Sport                9.19
16 Daniel Mackey (Aus) United Water                      38.41
 
Most aggressive rider
 
1 Glenn d'Hollander (Bel) Lotto-Adecco
 
Teams classification
 
1 Mapei - Quick Step                                  24.01.33
2 Australian Institute Of Sport
3 Ag2R Prevoyance                                         7.19
4 Crédit Agricole                                         7.22
5 Saeco Machine Per Caffe - Longoni Sport                 8.42
6 Telekom                                                15.25
7 UniSA                                                  18.42
8 United Water                                           22.27
9 Domo Farm Frites                                       22.55
10 CSC - Tiscali                                         22.59
11 La Francaise Des Jeux                                 26.58
12 Lotto Adecco

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