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89th Tour de France - Grand Tour
France, July 6-28, 2002
2002 Tour de France journals
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Mike Tomalaris, SBS broadcaster
Nationality: Australian
Mike Tomalaris is the producer and sometimes presenter of SBS TV's Toyota World Sports, the only daily prime time sports show on Australian TV. Mike has covered the Tour de France for SBS Sport since 1996, and always brings a distinct Australian perspective to the network's coverage of the world's biggest annual sporting event.
Stage 3 - Tuesday July 9: Metz - Reims, 174.5 km
A repeat at last for the boy from the Gold Coast
It's been a long time coming - three years in fact - but Robbie McEwen finally cracked it for another win in the Tour de France.
It was as if a huge boulder had been lifted off his shoulders. He wanted this so bad.
As the media smothered him seconds after crossing the lines, the first person Robbie offered his thanks to was Lotto team-mate Mario Aerts. "You're a legend," he said referring to the ton of work Aerts and the rest of the Lotto boys put in to set up the stunning win.
The finish line was chaotic - it seemed everyone wanted a piece of the boy from Down Under. Robbie is turning into a real diplomat. He speaks French and Flemish, so it comes as no surprise these media outlets were after his every word.
What was most satisfying about the victory was the way he ripped Erik Zabel apart. Some experts are saying the German is starting to show signs of slowing and if that's the case, there could be more where this came from for Robbie.
It was a very smart ride as well. But there was initial concern that he may be disqualified after abruptly changing course with some 50 metres to go. The reason? To pull away from the cardboard cutouts being waved by the crowd behind the barriers which cut into Robbie's arm.
Robbie said before the Tour his aim was to pursue the green jersey. While some journalists scoffed at the idea, the suggestion has become a real possibility. Just five points separates Zabel and Robbie in the chase for the points competition. And given the hunger the boy from the Gold Coast has right now - anything is possible.
