Van Hout sprint a sign of more to come
Jacobs Creek Classic -
17 January 2006
by
Michele Nardelli
Russell van Hout receiving a cheque for winning the second sprint prime |
He was fashionably late for the sign on, drawing some panic on the part of the announcers, but there was nothing tardy about Australian star rider Robbie McEwen at the finish line of Jacob’s Creek Classic last night. He took line honours much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd, with a super sprint in a close-packed run home.
And with such a strong showing this year from Australian teams, Aussie riders are predicted to be up there in all the stages across the tour. There are some real opportunities for young talented riders to shine.
Given the new race format (it made no contribution to the overall Tour points) more than a few teams broke the “golden rule” riding more as individuals, than taking the collective tactical approach usually used in the race.
Team UniSA-Australia riders got into the thick of things together with Chris Jongerwaard performing well in the first sprint, Russell van Hout taking out the second sprint prime and the prize, a big 400 Euro cheque. Paul Crake pushed himself to a cracking pace in the third and Gene Bates gave them a real run for their money in the fourth sprint only to leave the run a smidgeon too late. He had a bit of a spill in the second to last lap on a tight bend in the course but cat-like – jumped back on the bike without a scratch on him.
The team garnered a lot of support from the 70,000 spectators around the track, not only those associated with the University or the riders themselves, but others who have followed the team’s progress over the years and got to know them through the Team UniSA Supporter’s Club.
Even a couple of reporters I spoke to from Italian community radio said while a win from an Italian rider was always of interest to their listeners, Team UniSA-Australia was the team they focussed on for the local audience.
So last night the rubber hit the road on the start of what looks to
be a hot, gruelling week of cycling. Team UniSA-Australia
technically does not have a master sprinter in the team but what
they showed in the Classic is that they mean business and they will
be having a fair crack at every stage of this event.
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