Tour Down Under
Team UniSA-Australia Supporters Club
Team UniSA-Australia Supporters Club
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Stage 6 - January 23: Adelaide City Council Circuit (81 km)
The atmosphere in the city today for the last stage of the 2005 Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under was full on.
Thousands turned out for the race and thousands more were well "turned
out" - their team loyalties emblazoned in caps and flags, T-shirts and
bags, giving a strong sense that Adelaide is getting to know and love
its cycling.
There were to be no surprises today about who would win the tour.
Promising Spanish rider from Liberty Seguros, Luis Leon Sanchez was on
track to take out the tour ably backed by a team of enthusiastic young
Spanish riders and the two Australians Davis and Kemps. And they did
just that.
But there was some real interest in the placings on the day and for Team
UniSA the most important mission was to secure Gene Bates King of the
Mountain title - which was in no way in the bag. Consequently we saw and
heard more about team UniSA today.
The plan was to attack hard and the race was indeed fast and furious.
UniSA rider Corey Sweet led an early breakaway and held the lead on and
off in a group of four riders for about the first 26 km of the 81 km
street circuit. The peloton then reeled them back.
Russell van Hout hit out with another attack before the first mountain
climb up Montefiore Hill helping Gene win the first King of the mountain
in stage 6.
Then
Steve Cunningham took up the gauntlet and pigeon paired with United
Water's David Betts the two broke away to a 25 second lead over the
peloton.
But dogged by some real bad luck this week, Steve got a puncture,
leaving Betts on his lonesome and well placed to pip Gene at the post
for the next climb up Montefiore placing Gene's claim to the jersey
overall at risk.
But passion and determination from Bates saw him charge out winning the
second climb and securing his tour title by eight points.
At the end of the tour, Gene Bates finished 11th overall and Team UniSA
placed a creditable fourth.
The Liberty team had a wonderful tour and their win was warmly welcomed
in Adelaide.
But perhaps the biggest winner was South Australia. This year crowds to
the six stages of the event were bigger bolder and friendlier than ever.
This sporting event continues to be one of the gentlest and most family
friendly on the SA calendar - bringing pleasure to semi-rural and
metropolitan communities alike. This year a record 500,000 spectators
agree with me. So long live the Tour Down Under!
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