The Jonker report - UniSA aggression a hallmark
January 25
2009
Wrapping up this year’s tour we actually can’t talk about stage wins or jerseys – but we can talk about aggression and cohesion in the face of adversity.
There was not a day of the tour where UniSA was not in the thick of the action. They started out with a “Jack Attack” at the Cancer Council Classic and Bobridge continued his enthusiastic ways across the whole week. And he was joined by his team mates in providing a solid aggressive stance throughout every state of the tour.
Losing Baden Cooke just two days in some of the worst road racing conditions for years at the TDU was a big blow.
But the guys did everything but drop their bundle. On they went attacking and looking for the “what next” in the racing challenges at the Tour Down Under – how to get Matt Wilson up in the GC and how to win as many points as possible in the sprints and KOMs.
In the final day’s racing Bobridge again went in hard as did team mates, Meyer, Clarke and Davis.
It was of course what we predicted Allan Davis’ day and he enjoyed every well deserved minute of his victory in the Tour.
People sometimes wonder about what really makes Team Unisia a team. No it isn’t a pro team...yes it is reconstituted every year. But how astounding is its success given those factors.
Team UniSA- Australia represents opportunity. It is a chance for young riders to strut their stuff – it is a chance for mid career riders to reclaim their form and demand attention – it is a chance for Australia’s best to showcase their skills.
The existence of Team UniSA-Australia is not only important for the race itself in offering newcomers to the sport a team to get to know and support – it also offers a pathway for the next generation of riders to find recognition.
All week we have seen some of that next generation – Meyer, Bobridge, Clarke, Kemps – mix it with some of the best cyclists in the world – and they did not look like poor cousins.
They have proved themselves in every possible way...we can look forward to seeing more of them in Australia and in the headlines of world cycling.
Patrick Jonker