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Tour Down Under

Tales from the peloton, January 26, 2008

A sea of ochre floods the Mutual Community Challenge Tour

A record number of amateur cyclists tested their stamina and fitness this week on the same route as the professionals rode in Stage 4 Four of the Tour Down Under as 3,403 cyclists registered for the 2008 Mutual Community Challenge Tour; hundreds more than the previous record of 2,525.

"I am delighted that we have marked our first ever UCI ProTour race, and the Tour's 10th birthday, with record participation from recreational cyclists," Premier Rann says. "It helps to cement our State's reputation as the cycling capital of Australia."

Premier Rann predicted "a sea of lycra as cyclists head off from Mannum and Woodside on one of two rides – 134km or 73.5km." And he was right, as you can see from the gallery of images collected by Cyclingnews' Rachel Burke.

Among the throngs of riders who all ended their long day in Strathalbyn were a couple of local MPs taking part – Leon Bignell, the Member for Mawson, and Rory McEwen, the Member for Mount Gambier.

Tour Down Under: Mutual Community Challenge Tour, January 26, 2008

Riders round the first bend
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Spectators cheer on the field
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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One of the Tour Down Under artworks
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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A corrugated iron cyclist decorates
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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The police join
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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A team from New South Wales,
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Showing true team spirit
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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A couple of riders keen
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Riders looked relaxed
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Smiles all round.
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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With such an early start
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Taking it all in
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Local Adelaide resident,
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Say Cheese - riders pose
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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A perfect location to start
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Definitely worth
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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A tightly packed field
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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The lead riders make their way
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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The race gets the thumbs up
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Good hydration the secret
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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With over 3,000 riders,
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Strike a pose
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Sun smart
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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A lot of determination
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Spectators watched on
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Not missing any of the action,
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Riders dig deep
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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The constant field of orange
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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The huge field
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Riders were still
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Is that really water,
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Riders make their way
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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There were a lot of cheer squads
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Riders took advantage
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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One of the spectacular historic buildings
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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With such a long journey,
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Riders recover
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Look Mum - no hands!!
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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A rider recovers
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Go Torpedo!!!!
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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After over 100kms,
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Tandem riders
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Climbing the last hill
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Pats on the back all round
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Everyone had a unique way
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Powering to the finish line.
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Riding out of the saddle
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Impressive!
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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A very proud dad
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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There were bikes
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Just finishing
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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The agony and relief
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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A true credit
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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All in a day's work
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Many riders celebrated
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Although not the event jersey,
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Look Mum - no feet!!
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Celebrating the finish.
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Determination..
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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A kodak moment..
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Almost a flying finish.
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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What a support crew.
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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A Tungkillo resident
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Riders cool down
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Well wishes
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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Cheering on the riders.
Photo ©: Rachel Burke
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