11th Tour Down Under - ProT

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, January 18-25, 2009

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Stage 6 - January 25: Adelaide City Council Circuit, 90 km

Complete live report

10:23 CST   
Allan Davis (Quick Step) has all but secured this year's Tour Down Under crown, but there's still one final sprint finish to be had. Tun in around 1:30 local Australia time (CDT), 4:00 European time (CEST)/ 22:00 (USA East) for the season opening ProTour race's final stage.

13:27 CST   
Welcome back for Tour Down Under’s Stage 6, the final of this year’s event. At 90 kilometres in length this one should be decided in a bunch kick, where Allan Davis (Quick Step) will likely take victory in the event’s 11th edition.

13:29 CST   
It's currently 23 degrees out on the circuit with clear sky above. A light wind is pushing the BBQ smoke from behind us over the course.

13:29 CST   
The peloton is currently lining up with the start still several minutes away.

13:30 CST   
Today’s stage is a closed circuit race called the Adelaide City Council Street Circuit. The course starts just off North Terrace, on King William Road, in downtown Adelaide, before heading out along War Memorial Drive where it laps the Adelaide cricket ground.

13:32 CST   
Just quickly, before the race starts, don't forget that you can contact commentator@cyclingnews.com throughout the race with your comments, thoughts and lottery number predictions.

13:32 CST   
The Australian national anthem has been sung and we're nearly ready to get underway.

13:34 CST   
Today's stage has been shortened by two laps, so from a 20 lap race of the 4.5 kilometre circuit we will do 18 laps, totaling 81 kilometres.

13:35 CST   
We're expecting that Jack Bobridge (UniSA) will be one of the first to attack when this race gets underway. Call it a hunch.

13:37 CST   
We're away for the final Tour Down Under stage of 2009.

13:37 CST   
Quick Step and UniSA are currently controlling the action in the peloton.

13:38 CST   
Today’s stage includes two sprint points at the start finish line, coming at kilometre 36 and 54.

13:39 CST   
The pace at the head of the peloton has picked up. The group is starting to string out.

13:40 CST   
Team Milram has control of the peloton now.

13:41 CST   
A group of five has pulled away from the peloton.

13:42 CST   
The group is increasing in size as more riders jump across.

13:43 CST   
Wesley Sulzberger (Française Des Jeux), Glenn d'Hollander (Silence - Lotto), Jack Bobridge (UniSA) and Christian Knees (Team Milram) are leading the break.

13:44 CST   
The group of 11 riders is working well together and has pulled a 300 metre margin over the peloton.

13:44 CST   
Today’s stage also includes two King of the Mountain sprint points at kilometre 42.5 and 64. Although the 30 metre rise is more of a molehill than a climb.

13:49 CST   
Wesley Sulzberger (Française Des Jeux), Glenn d'Hollander (Silence - Lotto), Jack Bobridge (UniSA), Christian Knees (Team Milram), Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale), Andoni Lafuente (Euskaltel - Euskadi), Gianni Da Ros (Liquigas) and Vincent Jérôme (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) are some of the riders in the lead group.

13:50 CST   
Another two riders have bridged to the lead group, forming a bunch of 13 riders with a lead margin of 12 seconds.

13:51 CST   
The lead group now contains:

Bernhard Eisel (Team Columbia - High Road)
René Mandri (AG2R La Mondiale)
Jens Voigt (Team Saxo Bank)
Vincent Jérôme (Bbox Bouygues Telecom)
Wesley Sulzberger (Française Des Jeux)
Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Caisse d'Epargne)
Pablo Lastras Garcia (Caisse d'Epargne)
Markel Irizar Aranburu (Euskaltel - Euskadi)
Christian Knees (Team Milram)
Emanuele Bindi (Lampre - N.G.C)
Jos Van Emden (Rabobank)
Gianni Da Ros (Liquigas)
Jack Bobridge (UniSA)

13:51 CST   
Willem Stroetinga (Team Milram) has rejoined the peloton following a bike change.

13:52 CST   
A chase group of five riders is sitting 13 seconds behind the leaders. The peloton is at 20 seconds.

13:54 CST   
Davide Viganò (Fuji-Servetto) and Matthew Wilson (UniSA) are bridging to the lead group.

13:54 CST   
Davide Viganò (Fuji-Servetto) and Matthew Wilson (UniSA) are still 10 seconds behind.

13:54 CST   
Timmy Duggan (USA) Garmin-Slipstream), Pablo Urtasun (Euskaltel - Euskadi) and Mario Aerts (Silence - Lotto) are also chasing the lead group.

13:58 CST   
The leading group contains:

Bernhard Eisel (Team Columbia - High Road)
René Mandri (AG2R La Mondiale)
Jens Voigt (Team Saxo Bank)
Vincent Jérôme (Bbox Bouygues Telecom)
Wesley Sulzberger (Française Des Jeux)
Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Caisse d'Epargne)
Pablo Lastras Garcia (Caisse d'Epargne)
Markel Irizar Aranburu (Euskaltel - Euskadi)
Christian Knees (Team Milram)
Emanuele Bindi (Lampre - N.G.C)
Jos Van Emden (Rabobank)
Gianni Da Ros (Liquigas)
Jack Bobridge (UniSA)

Chasing group at 10 seconds:

Davide Viganò (Fuji-Servetto)
Matthew Wilson (UniSA)

14:00 CST   
Wesley Sulzberger (Française Des Jeux) is hoping to grab a time bonus at the sprint point, which should move him up to fifth overall.

14:00 CST   
Quick Step is driving the peloton now.

14:01 CST   
Davide Viganò (Fuji-Servetto), Matthew Wilson (UniSA) have been caught by the peloton. The 13 leaders now have a 57 second lead.

14:03 CST   
Call me a silly sausage, but it's time for a poll. Since it's a lovely summer day here, and many of you are freezing your arses off in North America or Europe, lets lift the mood by talking barbeque. What's your favourite type of BBQ meat?

14:03 CST   
Adam Hansen (Columbia) has rejoined the peloton after swapping a wheel.

14:06 CST   
The entire Quick Step squad is on the front of the peloton at the end of lap six. The group is sitting 1.05 minutes behind the lead group of 13.

14:06 CST   
Jussi Veikkanen (Française Des Jeux) has had to stop for a wheel change. Right in front of the BBQ...suspicious.

14:07 CST   
Terry says "favourite thing to see on the bbq is dopers. Roast 'em all!"

14:08 CST   
Quick Step's efforts at the head of the peloton has stopped the break's gap from growing. It now holds a 1.03 minute lead.

14:10 CST   
The leaders have stepped up the pace - causing the group to break apart momentarily.

14:10 CST   
Michael Rogers (Columbia) has become the next rider in need of a wheel swap as feeding begins.

14:10 CST   
I mean actual feeding...they haven't all stopped for a BBQ.

14:12 CST   
Lance Armstrong and an Astana team-mate has moved towards the front of the group. He's riding about 13th wheel behind the Quick Step team.

Armstrong had said yesterday he would stay out of the way today - maybe he's changed his mind?

14:14 CST   
We're coming up to the bell lap now, meaning next time around we will have a sprint for time bonuses and classification points. With a large amount of riders on equal time, this is a chance to rocket up the classification with just a little effort.

14:15 CST   
Jussi Veikkanen (Française Des Jeux) has re-joined the peloton after his sausage sizzle, erm, I mean wheel swap.

14:16 CST   
Ops, the boys have made a mess of it. Jack Bobridge (UniSA) won the sprint from Sulzberger, but it wasn't the sprint lap yet, only the bell lap.

Lets see if Bobridge can do it again next time around.

14:17 CST   
The leaders group now has a margin of 56 seconds, as the peloton chips away at its margin.

14:18 CST   
Two Columbia riders are making the most of their team car's draft as they push to re-join the peloton after wheel changes.

14:19 CST   
Two time Tour de France bridesmaid Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto) is on hand today to watch the final stage.

14:21 CST   
Okay, so its nearly time for the real sprint. Here we go...

14:23 CST   
Wesley Sulzberger (Française Des Jeux) wins the sprint from Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Caisse d'Epargne) while Jens Voigt (Team Saxo Bank) takes third place.

After winning the practice sprint, Jack Bobridge (UniSA) decided not to contest the real one.

14:26 CST   
Well, Sam Kekovich isn't going to be happy with us. One day out from his annual Australia Day Message about lamb, chicken has been voted in as our favoured BBQ meat.

No Peter, Cadel Evans isn't cooking the BBQ. Do you think he's a red meat kinda guy, or whould he prefer chicken? I don't think he liked Chicken in the 2007 Tour de France...but we all know how that ended.

14:30 CST   
Jake has asked about Astana's podium chances - either today or overall. Unfortunately it's not likely mate. Lance Armstrong and Jesus Hernandez are 49 seconds down on general classification in 29th and 28th spots.

They would need to win by 40 seconds today over Allan Davis (Quick Step) to win overall, or take 19 to finish on the podium. Not going to happen with the massive 30 metre climb on today's course.

14:31 CST   
Markel Irizar Aranburu (Euskaltel - Euskadi) has won the first KOM sprint of today's stage.

14:34 CST   
Gianni Da Ros (Liquigas) has led the leaders across the line for the start of lap 10. The gap stands at 36 seconds.

14:36 CST   
I ran into the Meyer boys - Travis and Cameron - while I was brushing my teeth in the Hilton Lift this morning. When asked if he's put in a good word to Garmin boss Jonathan Vaughters for his brother, Cam joked 'yes, Travis has mentioned that a few times as well'.

14:40 CST   
So we know today is going to a sprint, and therefore we can start tallying votes a bit earlier.

Let me know people, who of our fast men will take out today's finish at kilometre 81? Can Robbie McEwen (Katusha) book-end his week with another victory? Will Graeme Brown (Rabobank) take a bottle of Grange and a second win? Or will race leader Allan Davis (Quick Step) prove too good again?

14:41 CST   
Who knows...Luis Leon Sanchez might finally get up for SBS Television's Mike Tomalaris, and reward him for his week-long backing of the Spaniard.

14:42 CST   
The peloton is closing in on the leaders, with the gap now just 12 seconds.

14:45 CST   
Jens Voight (Saxo Bank) has won the day's second sprint.

14:45 CST   
Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne) took second place from Wesley Sulzberger (Française Des Jeux).

14:48 CST    54km/27km to go
Jack Bobridge (UniSA) is pushing hard at the front of the lead group.

14:48 CST   
Jos Van Emden (Rabobank) has attacked the peloton and is currently in between the break and the peloton.

14:50 CST   
Bernhard Eisel (Team Columbia - High Road), Rein Taaramae (Cofidis), Jos Van Emden (Rabobank) and Gianni Da Ros (Liquigas) have attacked out of the lead group.

14:51 CST   
Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Slipstream), Cameron Meyer (Garmin-Slipstream) and Joan Horrach Rippoll (Team Katusha) have joined the lead group while those previously leading the race have been absorbed by the peloton.

14:53 CST   
Cameron Meyer (Garmin-Slipstream) was dropped on the climb but is chasing the group back down.

14:53 CST   
The peloton is strung out as the pace increases to catch the leaders.

14:55 CST   
Andoni Lafuente (Euskaltel - Euskadi), who has been in a break every day this week, and Travis Meyer (UniSA) have attacked the peloton. The pair are trying to bridge to the lead group, which includes Meyer's brother Cameron.

14:56 CST   
We've got a tie all, your votes are equal on today's winner. José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Caisse d'Epargne) and Robbie McEwen (Katuhsa) have equal votes from you as today's stage winner. So we need some more votes, who will it be?

14:57 CST   
Andoni Lafuente (Euskaltel - Euskadi) and Travis Meyer (UniSA) have been caught by a charging peloton.

14:58 CST   
Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) has won the second KOM of today, the last for this year's race.

14:58 CST   
Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) has attacked the lead group, following his KOM win.

14:59 CST   
Quick Step is still boss back in the peloton, while Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) continued to pull ahead of the breakaway.

15:01 CST   
The break is working hard to bring Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) back in. The rider should be with them again shortly.

15:01 CST   
Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) has been caught.

15:02 CST   
KOM #2 results

1 Rein Taaramae (Cofidis)
2 Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Slipstream)
3 Jos Van Emden (Rabobank)
4 Gianni Da Ros (Liquigas)
5 Bernhard Eisel (Team Columbia - High Road)

15:04 CST   
Aitor Hernandez Gutierrez (Euskaltel - Euskadi) has gone out the rear of the peloton, but is being cheered on by the fans.

15:05 CST   
Cameron Meyer (Garmin-Slipstream) has again fell off the back of the leaders but is fighting to stay away.

15:06 CST   
Cameron Meyer (Garmin-Slipstream) has rejoined the lead group as its lead sits at 22 seconds.

15:09 CST   
Lance Armstrong (Astana) has moved into second wheel in the main peloton.

15:10 CST   
Lance Armstrong (Astana) has attacked...didn't see that coming.

15:11 CST   
The front group has broken up as Lance Armstrong (Astana) makes the back of the break.

15:12 CST   
Lance Armstrong (Astana) is yellow orders at his break mates. The American has taken to the front of the group.

15:13 CST   
LAnce Armstrong (Astana) is leading up the main straight.

15:14 CST   
The group has been caught by the peloton. But now there's a counter attack.

15:14 CST   
Team Columbia has taken to the front of the peloton and is leading the chase.

15:15 CST    78.5km/2.5km to go
Team Columbia is closing in on the two leaders, it looks like it will be back to one peloton with half a lap remaining.

15:17 CST   
Team Columbia is up front, but Allan Davis (Quick Step) is sitting behind them. He's flown in for victory off Katusha and Rabobank wheels this week, can he use Columbia this time around?

15:17 CST   
A Française Des Jeux rider is making things difficult for the peloton, he's attacked inside two kilometres to go.

15:17 CST   
Rabobank's train is moving up beside Columbia.

15:18 CST   
We're going to finish off the race with a sprint showdown - fitting given the week that's past.

15:18 CST   
It's a long, hard sprint home.

15:19 CST   
Graeme Brown (Rabobank) is in prime position, despite Columbia's presence.

15:19 CST   
Oh no, Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas) is coming fast.

15:19 CST   
Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas) has beaten Graeme Brown (Rabobank) on the line.

15:20 CST   
The group sprint secures Allan Davis (Quick Step) victory at the 11th Tour Down Under.

15:22 CST   
Well, what a way to finish the event. Lance Armstrong (Astana) put in a showing, as he has done all week, but the final victory has gone to Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas). Allan Davis (Quick Step) will go down in the record books as the race's 11th victor after winning three of the event's six stages.

15:23 CST   
The crowd has shown its appreciation to Lance Armstrong (Astana) for coming Down Under to contest its event. No doubt some of the thanks is for the American's efforts to mix up the race this week.

15:25 CST   
Well ladies and gentlemen, I'm off to grab that sausage sizzle, so it's time to sign off from the Hilton Lift for another year. Thanks for tuning in throughout the week and putting up with the fun and games as we shared this year's race with you.

Ride safely,
Greg Johnson

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