Tour Down Under
Team UniSA-Australia Supporters Club
Team UniSA-Australia Supporters Club
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Stage Three - Goolwa to Victor Harbour
by Thel Krollig
When
Team UniSA’s Patrick Jonker won the Yellow Jersey at yesterday’s Stage
Three of the Jacobs Creek Tour Down Under, it was just the icing on the
cake for what was a hugely successful day for the team.
The crowd roared its approval when Patrick, clearly one of SA’s favourite cycling sons, stepped up to the winner’s podium at Victor Harbor.
Patrick, riding his last professional race, was a popular winner of the Yellow Jersey, which signals his overall lead position in The Tour at the completion of the Stage Three.
"I’ve tried for three years to get this jersey," said Jonker.
"I’d like to thank the team for getting me here and I think it’s really great for UniSA as well. The way we’re riding at the moment, I’m hoping we can take it home on Sunday.
"We’ve got a comfortable lead, but you have to fight for every second in cycling and you never know what will happen the next day."
Jonker’s Yellow Jersey capped off what was a great day for Team UniSA with Gene Bates taking out second place in the Stage Three race, after duelling with Belgium rider Philippe Gilbert, who took line honours in the last few seconds. Luke Roberts finished third in the SA Lotteries Sprint #1 and Russell Van Hout took out third place in the Laubman and Pank King of the Mountain.
The end of Stage Three sees Team UniSA top of the overall team ladder and well placed for victory if they can hold their form.
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