Jacobs Creek Tour Down Under - 2.3Australia, January 15-20, 2002 |
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Stage 3 - January 17: Willunga - Willunga, 149km
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McEwen takes second triumph
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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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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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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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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.
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"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
- Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) - relaxes before the start of the stage
- Robert Tighello (AIS) - was in a thoughtful mood before the start
- Robert Tighello - rides in the thick of it
- Bradley McGee (Francaise des Jeux) - in action during stage 3
- Stuart O'Grady - goes on the attack
- Glenn d'Hollander (Lotto-Adecco) - rides with Tristan Hoffman (CSC)
- The "Three Kings" - on Willunga Hill
- Glenn d'Hollander - on his way up Willunga Hill
- Glenn d'Hollander - nears the top of Willunga Hill
- Fabio Sacchi - had a few problems staying with the leaders
- Robbie McEwen - wins the third stage into Willunga
- Stage winner Robbie McEwen - interviewed by Phil Liggett
- Fabio Sacchi - cools down after the stage
- Italian fans - at the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under
- David McPartland (United Water) -best U23 rider after stage 3
Photos by Michael Offe
- The Jacob's Creek crew - with their giant 'Top Drop'
- Brad Davidson (Saeco) - and his girlfriend before the start
- The Telekom riders - conquer Old Willunga Hill
- The decorations in the town of Willunga - make it a popular place
Some more photos kindly supplied by Phillip Chia.
- Domo's Jans Koerts and Fred Rodriguez - enjoy a coffee before the start
- The Saeco - team leads the front echelon through the vineyards
- Domo's Bram Tankink - descends off Old Willunga Hill
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