Jacobs Creek Tour Down Under - 2.3

Australia, January 15-20, 2002

Stage 6 - January 20: Adelaide City Council circuit, 90km

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Rogers takes yellow in fast finale

McEwen caps off a great week

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Michael Rogers
Photo: © Tom Balks/CN

By Jeff Jones in Adelaide

Australian rider Michael Rogers has taken out the final general classification in the 2002 Jacob's Creek Down Under, as the six day event finished in Adelaide with a 90 kilometre circuit race. Rogers rode a safe race today, allowing his Australian Institute of Sport teammates to cover all the breaks while he kept himself out of trouble. The stage finished in a bunch sprint and he crossed in 22nd place, raising his arm in triumph across the line.

"I always knew I was in with a chance," Rogers told Cyclingnews afterwards. "It has been my week. I was a bit nervous last night. I couldn't sleep, tossing and turning, but I was quietly confident. On days like this you never know what will happen. Thanks to the boys from the AIS. I couldn't have done it without them; and the staff of the ACF."

It was no surprise that the in-form sprinter in this race, Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco), took out the stage, despite a strong showing by the rest of the sprinters in the race. For McEwen it was his fourth stage out of a maximum of six, and he also won the best sprinter's jersey.

"I have been trying to win every day except for yesterday. But I never expected to come here and win four stages," he said. "People were coming up to me and asking if I was going to win again today, and four out of six ain't bad. I was feeling confident going into it and I felt sure my team would be there."
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Final stage action
Photo: © Tom Balks/CN

It was never certain that the stage would come down to a bunch sprint, as the riders had to do 20 climbs of Montefiore Hill. This, combined with the fact that a lot of teams were looking for a stage win, meant that there were constant attacks. Particularly aggressive were the teams of Domo-Farm Frites and Saeco-Longoni Sport, who always had a couple of riders in the breaks.

Thus the large crowd (estimated at 80,000) which had gathered to watch the final stage, was treated to an exciting finale raced around the most picturesque circuit that Adelaide had to offer.
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Stuart O'Grady
Photo: © Tom Balks/CN

Local hero Stuart O'Grady couldn't repeat his effort from last year, when he took the yellow jersey via a time bonus sprint in the final stage. However, the freckle-faced Credit Agricole rider still wowed the crowd with his constant attacking in an attempt to win the stage. He earned an intermediate sprint for his troubles and the Most Aggressive rider award for the stage, but couldn't place higher than 7th in the final sprint.

With four laps to go, the race was pretty well back together and it looked likely to end in a bunch sprint. Andrea Tafi (Mapei) tried a couple of late attacks but the speed was simply too high to stay away. McEwen kept his position near the front, while the Domo and Francaise des Jeux teams set things up for the sprint, which was slightly uphill along King William Drive.

FDJ's Brad McGee provided the final leadout for Baden Cooke, who described it afterwards. "On the last lap Fred [Guesdon] kept the attacks at bay and Brad hit out from before the corner and led me up the straight. If I could have won it that was the only way. I jumped first from the bottom of the hill. I got a gap and I had a bit of power but didn't have the range...Another month I might have 5 seconds more in my sprint."

"And I might have another 100 metres in my leadout," quipped his teammate Brad McGee nearby.
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Robbie McEwen
Photo: © Tom Balks/CN

So it was left to Robbie McEwen to launch himself up the outside with 100 metres to go to take the stage clearly ahead of Julian Dean (CSC) who was glued to his wheel, with Cooke taking third.

Dean told Cyclingnews afterwards that "I actually ended up on Robbie's wheel so I was just protecting that as best I could for the final kilometre. If anything I didn't open up really. Robbie is the in-form rider now and that's pretty good for me as I'm definitely not feeling 100 percent."

Robbie is indeed the in-form rider, and he hopes to keep that when the European season starts including Paris-Nice (which will probably go ahead despite financial difficulties).

But the overall honours belonged to 22 year old Michael Rogers, who won stage 2 and overcame a little misfortune yesterday to ride into the yellow jersey position. "Yesterday when I did the bike in I thought that was it. Sometimes in cycling good things happen, sometimes not so good things happen."

Mick was riding his own bike today but he had his "spare bike" on a car roof somewhere for luck.
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Champagne on the podium
Photo: © Tom Balks/CN

"The difference between now and two years ago when I won a stage is that this time I could retain the jersey. In 2000 I kept it for a few days but I couldn't get over the big hills. But this year I could."

This year's tour showed the strength of the Australian riders at the height of their season, as all of the classifications went to Australians: Rogers (GC), McEwen (Sprints), Cadel Evans (Mountains) and David McPartland (U23). However, many of the Europeans were certainly here to race, and this showed throughout the tour. There were very few riders out here on "holiday".

They were perhaps surprised at the speed and intensity, but will certainly be back next year with more kilometres in their legs, and a desire to take home a few bouquets from the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under.

Photography

Photos by Jeff Jones

Photos by Phillip Chia.

Results

1 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto Adecco                     1.51.29 (48.4 km/h)
2 Julian Dean (NZl) CSC - Tiscali
3 Baden Cooke (Aus) La Française Des Jeux
4 Stefano Zanini (Ita) Mapei Quick Step
5 Jaan Kirsipuu (Est) AG2r-Prevoyance
6 Danilo Hondo (Ger) Telekom
7 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Crédit Agricole
8 Max Van Heeswijk (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
9 Brett Aitken (Aus) UniSA
10 Lauri Aus (Est) AG2r-Prevoyance
11 Fabian De Waele (Bel) Mapei Quick Step
12 Gerrit Glomser (Aut) Saeco-Longoni Sport
13 Sebastian Hinault (Fra) Crédit Agricole
14 Innar Mandoja (Est) AG2r-Prevoyance
15 Allan Davis (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
16 Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) AG2r-Prevoyance
17 Kevin Hulsmans (Bel) Mapei Quick Step
18 Thierry Loder (Fra) AG2r-Prevoyance
19 Patrick Jonker (Aus) UniSA
20 Bobby Julich (USA) Telekom
21 Jans Koerts (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
22 Michael Rogers (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
23 Steffen Wesemann (Ger) Telekom
24 Kurt Van De Wouwer (Bel) Lotto Adecco
25 Daniele Nardello (Ita) Mapei Quick Step
26 Cadel Evans (Aus) Mapei Quick Step
27 Bradley McGee (Aus) La Française Des Jeux
28 Peter Dawson (Aus) United Water
29 Andrea Tafi (Ita) Mapei Quick Step
30 Chris Jenner (NZl) Crédit Agricole
31 Frederick Guesdon (Fra) La Française Des Jeux
32 Anthony Morin (Fra) Crédit Agricole
33 Bjarke Nielsen (Den) CSC - Tiscali
34 Paul Van Hyfte (Bel) CSC - Tiscali
35 Fabio Sacchi (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport
36 Jens Heppner (Ger) Telekom                             0.10
37 Inigo Chaurreau Bernadez (Spa) AG2r-Prevoyance
38 Robert Tighello (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
39 Mikel Astarloza (Spa) AG2r-Prevoyance
40 Kai Hundertmarck (Ger) Telekom                         0.13
41 Frederic Bessy (Fra) Crédit Agricole
42 Ashley Humbert (Aus) United Water
43 Biagio Conte (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport
44 Oscar Mason (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport
45 Steve Cunningham (Aus) UniSA
46 Raphael Jeune (Fra) CSC - Tiscali
47 Luca Paolini (Ita) Mapei Quick Step
48 Laszlo Bodrogi (Hun) Mapei Quick Step
49 Scott Davis (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
50 Dave McPartland (Aus) United Water                     0.17
51 Brett Lancaster (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
52 Simon Gerrans (Aus) United Water
53 Gorik Gardeyn (Bel) Lotto Adecco
54 Geert Van Bondt (Bel) CSC - Tiscali
55 Christian Pepoli (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport
56 Igor Astarloa (Spa) Saeco-Longoni Sport
57 Jurgen Van Goolen (Bel) Domo Farm Frites
58 Brad Davidson (Aus) Saeco-Longoni Sport
59 Bruce McIntosh (Aus) United Water
60 Robert Bartko (Ger) Telekom
61 Jonathan Vaughters (USA) Crédit Agricole
62 Tristan Hoffman (Ned) CSC - Tiscali
63 Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) Crédit Agricole
64 Anthony Langella (Fra) Crédit Agricole
65 Koos Moerenhout (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
66 Ief Verbrugghe (Bel) Lotto Adecco
67 Hans De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Adecco
68 Glenn d'Hollander (Bel) Lotto Adecco
69 Servais Knaven (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
70 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Telekom
71 Nicolas Vogondy (Fra) La Française Des Jeux
72 Daniel Mackey (Aus) United Water
73 Regis Lhuillier (Fra) La Française Des Jeux            0.32
74 Steve Williams (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport     0.34
75 David Pell (Aus) United Water
76 Adrian Laidler (Aus) UniSA                             0.38
77 Bram Tankink (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
78 Jakob Piil (Den) CSC - Tiscali                         0.41
79 Luke Roberts (Aus) UniSA                               0.42
80 Stefan Van Dijk (Ned) Lotto Adecco                     0.46
81 Gene Bates (Aus) UniSA                                 0.48
82 Thomas Bodo (Fra) La Française Des Jeux                0.50
83 Fred Rodriguez (USA) Domo Farm Frites                  1.28
84 Russell Van Hout (Aus) UniSA                           4.40
85 Mark Renshaw (Aus) United Water
86 Corey Sweet (Aus) UniSA                                4.41
87 Arvis Piziks (Lat) CSC - Tiscali
88 Joerg Ludewig (Ger) Saeco-Longoni Sport
89 Matt Wilson (Aus) La Française Des Jeux
90 Tomas Konecny (Cze) Domo Farm Frites
91 David Kopp (Ger) Telekom                              10.41
92 Niko Eeckhout (Bel) Lotto Adecco
DNS Carlos Da Cruz (Fra) La Française Des Jeux
 
Final general classification
 
1 Michael Rogers (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport  16.59.44 (43.1 km/h)
2 Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) AG2r-Prevoyance               0.21
3 Patrick Jonker (Aus) UniSA                              0.30
4 Cadel Evans (Aus) Mapei Quick Step                      0.40
5 Daniele Nardello (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                 0.58
6 Paul Van Hyfte (Bel) CSC - Tiscali                      3.14
7 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Crédit Agricole                    3.57
8 Andrea Tafi (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                      4.36
9 Anthony Morin (Fra) Crédit Agricole                     4.40
10 Steffen Wesemann (Ger) Telekom                         5.28
11 Robert Tighello (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport    5.29
12 Inigo Chaurreau Bernadez (Spa) AG2r-Prevoyance         6.27
13 Kurt Van De Wouwer (Bel) Lotto Adecco                  9.32
14 Scott Davis (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport        9.52
15 Kai Hundertmarck (Ger) Telekom                        10.00
16 Thierry Loder (Fra) AG2r-Prevoyance                   12.43
17 Kevin Hulsmans (Bel) Mapei Quick Step                 12.46
18 Mikel Astarloza (Spa) AG2r-Prevoyance                 12.55
19 Dave McPartland (Aus) United Water                    12.56
20 Luca Paolini (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                   13.10
21 Nicolas Vogondy (Fra) La Française Des Jeux           14.02
22 Fabio Sacchi (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport                25.07
23 Biagio Conte (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport                26.13
24 Sebastian Hinault (Fra) Crédit Agricole               28.25
25 Russell Van Hout (Aus) UniSA                          28.43
26 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto Adecco                      32.59
27 Danilo Hondo (Ger) Telekom                            33.16
28 Max Van Heeswijk (Ned) Domo Farm Frites               33.20
29 Fabian De Waele (Bel) Mapei Quick Step
30 Bobby Julich (USA) Telekom
31 Chris Jenner (NZl) Crédit Agricole
32 Ashley Humbert (Aus) United Water                     33.33
33 Peter Dawson (Aus) United Water                       33.34
34 Simon Gerrans (Aus) United Water                      33.37
35 Koos Moerenhout (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
36 Robert Bartko (Ger) Telekom                           33.48
37 Bradley McGee (Aus) La Française Des Jeux             34.14
38 Frederic Bessy (Fra) Crédit Agricole                  34.50
39 Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) Crédit Agricole                34.54
40 Gene Bates (Aus) UniSA                                36.39
41 Jens Heppner (Ger) Telekom                            37.17
42 Julian Dean (NZl) CSC - Tiscali                       37.26
43 Allan Davis (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport       37.30
44 Innar Mandoja (Est) AG2r-Prevoyance
45 Steve Cunningham (Aus) UniSA                          37.40
46 Servais Knaven (Ned) Domo Farm Frites
47 Glenn d'Hollander (Bel) Lotto Adecco                  37.42
48 Tristan Hoffman (Ned) CSC - Tiscali
49 Oscar Mason (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport                 37.43
50 Laszlo Bodrogi (Hun) Mapei Quick Step
51 Gorik Gardeyn (Bel) Lotto Adecco                      37.47
52 Geert Van Bondt (Bel) CSC - Tiscali
53 Hans De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Adecco
54 Regis Lhuillier (Fra) La Française Des Jeux           38.02
55 Luke Roberts (Aus) UniSA                              38.09
56 Frederick Guesdon (Fra) La Française Des Jeux         38.14
57 Tomas Konecny (Cze) Domo Farm Frites                  38.15
58 Stefan Van Dijk (Ned) Lotto Adecco                    38.16
59 Igor Astarloa (Spa) Saeco-Longoni Sport               38.18
60 Bruce McIntosh (Aus) United Water                     38.30
61 Thomas Bodo (Fra) La Française Des Jeux               39.14
62 Joerg Ludewig (Ger) Saeco-Longoni Sport               39.18
63 Bram Tankink (Ned) Domo Farm Frites                   39.30
64 Adrian Laidler (Aus) UniSA                            41.38
65 Mark Renshaw (Aus) United Water                       42.03
66 Jans Koerts (Ned) Domo Farm Frites                    42.29
67 Baden Cooke (Aus) La Française Des Jeux               42.30
68 Jaan Kirsipuu (Est) AG2r-Prevoyance
69 Stefano Zanini (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                 42.32
70 Brett Aitken (Aus) UniSA
71 Bjarke Nielsen (Den) CSC - Tiscali
72 Lauri Aus (Est) AG2r-Prevoyance
73 Brad Davidson (Aus) Saeco-Longoni Sport               42.49
74 Brett Lancaster (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport
75 Anthony Langella (Fra) Crédit Agricole
76 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Telekom                          43.14
77 Jurgen Van Goolen (Bel) Domo Farm Frites              43.17
78 Raphael Jeune (Fra) CSC - Tiscali                     43.35
79 Fred Rodriguez (USA) Domo Farm Frites                 44.00
80 Jonathan Vaughters (USA) Crédit Agricole              44.08
81 Jakob Piil (Den) CSC - Tiscali                        44.32
82 Gerrit Glomser (Aut) Saeco-Longoni Sport              44.51
83 Christian Pepoli (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport            45.06
84 Ief Verbrugghe (Bel) Lotto Adecco
85 David Pell (Aus) United Water                         45.14
86 Steve Williams (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport    45.14
87 David Kopp (Ger) Telekom                              48.08
88 Arvis Piziks (Lat) CSC - Tiscali                      48.39
89 Corey Sweet (Aus) UniSA                               49.51
90 Niko Eeckhout (Bel) Lotto Adecco                      53.13
91 Matt Wilson (Aus) La Française Des Jeux             1.06.57
92 Daniel Mackey (Aus) United Water                    1.12.11
 
Sprints classification
 
1 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto Adecco                          36 pts
2 Michael Rogers (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport        20
3 Jans Koerts (Ned) Domo Farm Frites                        18
4 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Crédit Agricole                      12
5 Fabio Sacchi (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport                    12
6 Tristan Hoffman (Ned) CSC - Tiscali                       10
7 Glenn d'Hollander (Bel) Lotto Adecco                      10
8 Daniele Nardello (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                   10
9 Luca Paolini (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                       10
10 Cadel Evans (Aus) Mapei Quick Step                        8
11 Andrea Tafi (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                        8
12 Kevin Hulsmans (Bel) Mapei Quick Step                     6
13 Thierry Loder (Fra) AG2r-Prevoyance                       6
14 Christian Pepoli (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport                6
15 David Pell (Aus) United Water                             6
16 Biagio Conte (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport                    6
17 Corey Sweet (Aus) UniSA                                   6
18 Julian Dean (NZl) CSC - Tiscali                           6
19 Danilo Hondo (Ger) Telekom                                6
20 Robert Tighello (Aus) Australian Institute Of Spor        4
21 Russell Van Hout (Aus) UniSA                              4
22 Baden Cooke (Aus) La Française Des Jeux                   4
23 Jaan Kirsipuu (Est) AG2r-Prevoyance                       4
24 Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) AG2r-Prevoyance                 2
25 Steffen Wesemann (Ger) Telekom                            2
26 Kurt Van De Wouwer (Bel) Lotto Adecco                     2
27 Mikel Astarloza (Spa) AG2r-Prevoyance                     2
 
Mountains classification
 
1 Cadel Evans (Aus) Mapei Quick Step                        48 pts
2 Russell Van Hout (Aus) UniSA                              36
3 Glenn d'Hollander (Bel) Lotto Adecco                      28
4 Brad Davidson (Aus) Saeco-Longoni Sport                   20
5 Daniele Nardello (Ita) Mapei Quick Step                   20
6 Peter Dawson (Aus) United Water                           16
7 David Pell (Aus) United Water                             16
8 Nicolas Vogondy (Fra) La Française Des Jeux               16
9 Jaan Kirsipuu (Est) AG2r-Prevoyance                       12
10 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Crédit Agricole                     12
11 Michael Rogers (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport       10
12 Patrick Jonker (Aus) UniSA                                8
13 Servais Knaven (Ned) Domo Farm Frites                     8
14 Paul Van Hyfte (Bel) CSC - Tiscali                        8
15 Frederick Guesdon (Fra) La Française Des Jeux             6
16 Kai Hundertmarck (Ger) Telekom                            6
17 Hans De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Adecco                         6
18 Joerg Ludewig (Ger) Saeco-Longoni Sport                   6
19 Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) AG2r-Prevoyance                 4
20 Thierry Loder (Fra) AG2r-Prevoyance                       4
21 Fabio Sacchi (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport                    4
 
U23 classification
 
1 Dave McPartland (Aus) United Water                  17.12.40
2 Ashley Humbert (Aus) United Water                      20.37
3 Peter Dawson (Aus) United Water                        20.38
4 Simon Gerrans (Aus) United Water                       20.41
5 Gene Bates (Aus) UniSA                                 23.43
6 Allan Davis (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport        24.34
7 Gorik Gardeyn (Bel) Lotto Adecco                       24.51
8 Regis Lhuillier (Fra) La Française Des Jeux            25.06
9 Bruce McIntosh (Aus) United Water                      25.34
10 Thomas Bodo (Fra) La Française Des Jeux               26.18
11 Adrian Laidler (Aus) UniSA                            28.42
12 Mark Renshaw (Aus) United Water                       29.07
13 Brad Davidson (Aus) Saeco-Longoni Sport               29.53
14 Jurgen Van Goolen (Bel) Domo Farm Frites              30.21
15 David Pell (Aus) United Water                         32.18
16 Daniel Mackey (Aus) United Water                      59.15
 
Teams classification
 
1 Mapei - Quick Step                                  51.05.41
2 Australian Institute Of Sport                           4.44
3 Ag2R Prevoyance                                        12.02
4 Crédit Agricole                                        25.04
5 Telekom                                                41.47
6 UniSA                                                  48.31
7 CSC - Tiscali                                          11.42
8 United Water                                           13.06
9 Lotto Adecco                                           14.11
10 La Francaise Des Jeux                                 17.12
11 Saeco Machine Per Caffe - Longoni Sport               19.38
12 Domo Farm Frites                                      33.55

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