5th Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under - 2.3

Australia, January 21-26, 2003

Photos

Photos from various stages

Images by Nathan Goss

• The bunch packed close during stage 1
• Mark Scanlon (Ag2r) in action during the first stage
• A close up of Fabio Sacchi's leopard bars
• Russell Van Hout (UniSA) climbs Menglers Hill on stage 2
• A Telekom mechanic works on Kai Hundertmarck's machine
• A late entry to the JCTDU was the South Australian police team
• Geert Van Bondt (CSC)'s Cervelo before the start in Unley (Stage 4)
• On the start line in Unley with Saeco in pole position
• The riders roll out of Unley for stage 4
• The Credit Agricole team lead the way during stage 6

Stage 6: Sunday Jan 26, Adelaide City Council circuit, 90km

Images by www.tombalks.com

• A late signing
• ONCE director Manolo Saiz give his boys a pep talk
• Sean Yates and Lennie Kristensen (CSC) discuss a plan of attack
• Graeme Brown (Panaria) looking confident at the start line
• Lennie Kristensen (CSC) in a dangerous looking break, forming halfway through the race
• Mikel Astarloza (Ag2R) sits in the wing of a Credit Agricole rider going up Montefiore Hill
• The view from the rear
• Race leader Mikel Astarloza (Ag2R) is flanked by Aussie Road Champion Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole), who moved to 3rd overall after the first sprint
• Cadel Evans (Telekom) sweeps through a corner
• Gene Bates (UniSA) launches a late solo attack
• Graeme Brown (Panaria-Fiordo) moves closer to the front as the race reaches its climax
• The flags are flying high on Australia Day
• Go Stuuuuey!
• Lilian Jegou (Credit Agricole) takes the outside line as the peloton make their way around the U-turn
• High fives were the order of the day among the Ag2R posse
• Gene Bates (UniSA) appears to be getting the hang of this winning thing
• The riders from ONCE on the podium after winning the teams classification
• The various jersey winners have a bit of fun on the podium
• The best view in the house
• Getting in among the fans
• Cadel Evans (Telekom) has developed quite the following since his debut in pro road cycling
• Mike Astarloza (Ag2R) still has the energy to pay an unusual tribute to his director

Images by Gerard Knapp/Cyclingnews.com

• Ag2r's Jaan Kirsipuu and Mark Scanlon looking nervous at the start
• Jaan Kirsipuu (Ag2r) talks to SBS's Mike Tomalaris at the start
• Mikel Astarloza (Ag2R) and DS Laurent Biondi discuss tactics at the start
• Stuart O'Grady (CA) with director Serge Bucherie at the start
• Julian Dean (CSC) starts with a Stuey Stick on his rear stay
• Geert Steegemans (Lotto-Domo) does a no-handed track stand before the start
• Mark Scanlon (Ag2r) was in the action on several occasions
• Kirsipuu and Putsep combined to defeat O'Grady in the first sprint
• Hugs all round in the Ag2r team after the race

Stage 5: Saturday Jan 25, Willunga - Willunga , 147 km

Images by www.tombalks.com

• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) interviewed by SBS TV's Mike Tomalaris before the stage
• The peloton rides past a couple of interested spectators during stage 5
• The race doctor examines Robbie McEwen's knee early in the stage
• The umbrellas say it all at downtown Aldinga Bay
• Cosmopolitan is a word to describe the residents of Aldinga Beach
• A little bit of France in an Australian seaside town
• The ONCE team ride in the peloton along Aldinga Beach
• A glass of chardonnay? Fans toast the riders as they go past
• Andrea Tafi (CSC) shares a bottle of water with his breakaway companion Nicolas Portal (Ag2r)
• Nicolas Portal (Ag2r) was one of two riders on the early attack today
• The heat really took its toll on the breakaways
• The peloton led by Saeco, chase the break through the McLaren Vale vineyards
• Fabio Sacchi (Saeco-Longoni Sport) cools off during the very hot fifth stage
• Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole) is now just 5 seconds off the leader's jersey
• Cadel Evans (Telekom) took the points on the climb to move back into the mountains jersey
• Giampaolo Caruso (ONCE) still had an advantage with 100m to go
• Giampaolo Caruso (ONCE) wins the stage into Willunga
• Mikel Astarloza cools off after the stage
• The new leader of the JCTDU is Mikel Astarloza (Ag2r-Prevoyance)
• Giampaolo Caruso (ONCE) on the podium after his stage win
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) talks about his knee injury at a post-race press conference

Stage 4: Friday Jan 24, Unley - Goolwa, 144km

Images by www.tombalks.com

• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com, L) and teamamte Baden Cooke talking team tactics before the start. After today's outcome, it must have been a good conversation.
• Elvis - two of them in fact - spotted in Unley
• Davide Bramati (Quick Step-Davitamon) would prefer to act the judge today, but of a beauty contest, not a bike race
• The race proper begins on the South East Freeway at 11:22 after a 7.2 kilometre neutral zone
• The peloton moves slowly through the Heysen Tunnel, jerseys unzipped
• Early escapee Adrian Laidler (UniSA) hydrates. Most riders went through around a dozen bidons of water today.
• Bram Tankink (Quick Step-Davitamon) must have know his days were numbered, pulling the pin halfway through today's stage
• The winding roads leading to the first sprint in Echunga provided a little shelter from the blistering sun
• Fans take cover in the searing heat
• Smart and safe - now that's how you avoid the sun
• Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole) knew one of his last chances to make up time on Sacchi and McEwen was today, but was not able to initiate any breaks
• The ol' garden hose comes in handy when it's 41 degrees Celsius
• After close to 130 kilometres out in front, Adrian Laidler's (UniSA) lead whittled away to nothing in the final 20 kilometres
• A photographer's eye view of the finishing straight
• With 200m to go, the stage was set for a massive bunch gallop...
• And Cookie (FDJeux.com) gets it! Graeme Brown (Panaria) was second and Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole) third.
• Bradley McGee provided the perfect lead-out for his teammate, and was almost as excited as Cooke
• Sponging down. Just don't wash the dishes with that, OK Cookie?
• Well why not? Baden Cooke (FDJeux.com) deserves a beer or four after today's effort
• A delighted Baden Cooke (FDJeux.com) on the podium
• Ugghhh! Gene Bates (UniSA) too young to enjoy the fruits of his labour
• Lennie Kristensen (CSC) looking a comfortable leader in the King of the Mountains competition

Stage 3: Thursday Jan 23, Glenelg - Hahndorf , 164km

Images by www.tombalks.com

• Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) signs autographs at the start in Glenelg
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) works on his bike before the start
• Angel Vicioso (ONCE) talks with team manager Marino Lejarreta before the start
• ONCE manager Manolo Saiz is enjoying the Australian sun
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) looking cool, calm and collected before the start of stage 3
• The ubiquitous Stuey mask held by a very young fan
• The riders along Anzac Pde, during the neutral section
• Jakob Piil (CSC) cruises at the start of stage 3
• Lilian Jegou (Credit Agricole) at the start of stage 3 in Glenelg
• Russell Van Hout (UniSA) clad in the KOM jersey before the start
• I told you to go before we left!
• Andrea Tafi (CSC) negotiating a pizza if he wins the stage
• The Saeco-Longoni Sport team controlled the pace during stage three of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under to protect Fabio Sacchi's lead
• Andrea Tafi (CSC) was an important part of the eight man break
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) hits the front with 200m to go, with Graeme Brown on his wheel
• Graeme Brown (Panaria) tries to come round McEwen
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) and Graeme Brown (Panaria) throw their bikes on the line. McEwen got it by 1 cm.
• A happy Robbie McEwen is kissed on the podium after his stage win
• A large crowd was gathered at the finish for the rush to the line
• Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) still in yellow after stage 3
• Fans of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under come in all shapes and sizes
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) and his teammate Nick Gates warm down after the third stage

Images by Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews.com

• The convoy drives through the centre of Adelaide
• The Laubman & Pank KOM girls wave to the crowd as they drive past the Hilton
• The riders come past during the neutral section
• CSC and Lotto-Domo riders relax at the back of the bunch
• The rear of the peloton cycles past the Hilton International Hotel in Adelaide

Images by Graham Fowler

• The main field climbs to the top of Mt Gawler at Humbug Scrub in the Kersbrook State Forest

Stage 2: Wednesday Jan 22, Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre - Kapunda, 140km

Images by www.tombalks.com

• The crowd at the start was large and supportive
• Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) nurses a baby joey at the start of stage 2
• Phil Liggett shows his gentle side
• The Saeco-Longoni Sport team giving the thumbs up at the start of the stage
• The peloton glide along during stage 2, 40 km from the start
• Australian fans came out again in strong numbers during stage 2
• The long road ahead. Russell Van Hout (UniSA) near the beginning of his 100 km breakaway attempt.
• Gene Bates (UniSA) was the best U23 rider today
• The female devil giving the riders support during stage 2
• Russell Van Hout (UniSA) had an 8'47 lead after the second sprint
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) attempts to break away in pursuit of Russell Van Hout
• The crowds at the top of Menglers Hill, the day's only climb with points on offer
• Cadel Evans (Telekom) ascends Menglers Hill during stage 2, wearing the mountains jersey
• Cedric Herve (Credit Agricole) finished third on the stage
• Towards the end of the stage Russell Van Hout's lead began to shrink rapidly to the chasing groups
• The group of eight chasing the four leaders contained Robbie McEwen and Fabio Sacchi
• The four leaders led by Lennie Kristensen (CSC) race towards the end of the stage
• Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) wins the stage into Kapunda
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) easily won the sprint for second, with Cedric Herve (CA, R) just getting up for third.
• Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) is the new leader of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under

Stage 1: Tuesday Jan 21, Adelaide street race, 50km

Images by www.tombalks.com

• Baden Cooke (FDJeux.com, L) throws his bike too early as the orange clad Graeme Brown (C.) makes his run for the line. McEwen is on the right, closest to the barrier
• The lunge… Graeme Brown in the middle is clearly in front
• Graeme Brown (Panaria) crossed the line first, but he was later relegated, giving Baden Cooke (L) the win by the narrowest of margins over Robbie McEwen (R.)
• Graeme Brown (Panaria) in the post race media crush
• Chief commissaire John McDonnell ruled that Graeme Brown sprinted irregularly
• Baden Cooke (FDJeux.com) with the first leader's yellow jersey
• The seven man breakaway led by Saeco's Igor Astarloa
• Andrea Tafi (CSC) was the most aggressive rider in stage 1
• Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) in action during stage 1 of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under
• Matt Wilson (FDJeux.com) won the sprints classification today
• Graeme Brown (Panaria) was attentive throughout the race
• Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole) was fairly active during the race in his national champion's jersey
• The peloton race around the streets of Adelaide for the first stage of the JCTDU
• The peloton rounds a corner in front of a huge crowd
• Aussie fans were understandably prominent during the first stage
• Andrea Tafi (CSC) is always a crowd favourite

Images by Gerard Knapp

• Saeco-Longoni Sport's Fabio Sacchi (left) looking cool on the start line of stage 1 of the 2003 Jacob's Creek Tour Down under, his first race of the season.
• Another season begins. They're off in stage 1 of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under, the first major race of the season for most of the field.
• FDjeux.com's Matt Wilson throws his bike across the line in front of CSC's Andrea Tafi to take out the first intermediate sprint in stage 1 of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under - the first of more to come for the Australian contingent on this French team?
• Saeco - Longoni Sport's Fabio Sacchi in front of Irish rider Mark Scanlon, in his first outing for AG2R Prevoyance. both riders were major drivers in the break of seven which threatened to take out the stage, but was eventually overhauled by the peloton in the final lap
• Graeme Brown tells the assembled media how he won the stage.
• Then the media learn he has been relegated and a scrum forms to get his comments.
• FDjeux.com's Baden Cooke prepares to walk on stage as the winner of the first stage of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under.
• FDjeux's Baden Cooke prepares to throw the flowers into the crowd - the young Australian was surprised yet delighted to take the stage and leader's jersey.
• CSC's Andrea Tafi's efforts driving the break were rewarded with the jersey for Most Aggressive Rider after stage 1.
• FDjeux.com's Matt Wilson won the sprinter's jersey after his efforts in the break in stage 1 of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under. It is the second jersey to be worn by the French team.
• Telekom's Dirk Reichl has the jersey for best young rider after stage 1.
• Cadel Evans gets on stage in his first outing in Telekom colours. Although there were no mountain points in the opening stage, he is given the King of the Mountains jersey as he won the mountains classification in last year's JCTDU.

Team presentation, January 20

Images by www.tombalks.com

• Quick Step-Davitamon with Michael Rogers (top left), and Tom Boonen (bottom left)
• Credit Agricole with newly crowned Australian champion Stuart O'Grady (top left), next to Germany's Jens Voigt. Christophe Moreau is on the bottom left.
• Saeco-Longoni Sport is bringing Fabio Sacchi (top left) to Australia again
• Lotto-Domo will be led by Robbie McEwen (top left), who hopes to win at least one stage this year
• Team Telekom has a strong lineup, with Cadel Evans (top left) and Steffen Wesemann (2nd top left)
• Ag2r-Prevoyance boasts two national champions: Jaan Kirsipuu and Mark Scanlon
• FDJeux.com has a strong Aussie flavour, with Brad McGee, Baden Cooke and Matt Wilson
• CSC contains Jakob Piil (top left) and Andrea Tafi (2nd left) among other strong riders
• ONCE-Eroski with TdF yellow jersey wearer Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano is looking like it will put in a strong performance
• Panaria-Fiordo hopes to win a stage or two with Graeme Brown (top left)
• United Water is the young Australian team of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under
• UniSA could see a good race from the experienced Pat Jonker (top left), who is in form at the moment
• Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole) watching the proceedings at the team presentation with interest
• Bradley McGee (FDJeux.com) is one of the many favourites for this race

Pre-race press conference, January 20

Images by www.tombalks.com

• The press conference (L to R): Neil Stephens (interpreter), Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE), Fabio Sacchi (Saeco), Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole), Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo), and Michael Rogers (Quick Step-Davitamon)
• Defending Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under champion Michael Rogers (Quick Step-Davitamon) was circumspect about his chances in this year's race
• Local hero Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole) has the added pressure - or bonus - of being the 2003 Australian champion
• Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) will find it hard to repeat last year's four stage wins, but he'll try for at least one
• Fabio Sacchi (Saeco) is sporting a brand new hairdo for the race
• Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE) has chosen to come and race in Australia for the first time