The competition’s hotting up
Stage 3 - 20 January 2006
by
Rebecca Gill
Pre-race: Team UniSA-Australia make the most of the shade provided by one of Strathalbyn’s many historic buildings |
As the third official stage of the Jacob’s Creek Tour Down Under kicked off today – riders had a big task ahead of them: conquering the longest stretch of road in the Tour… and doing so in temperatures in excess of 40 degrees – by far the hottest day of the Tour yet.
But despite the increasingly taxing conditions in the Fleurieu Peninsula, Team UniSA-Australia again put in a brawny effort with another day on the attack.
The team had two riders that were able to break away from the peloton. Matt Hayman was one of the 11 riders that assaulted early at the 4km mark. Just after the 100km mark, Ben Day also managed to break away from the pack and bridged up to Matt Hayman.
Team Manager, Dave Sanders was particularly impressed with Hayman’s brave and steady effort, despite the fact that Liberty Seguros-Wurth eventually overtook both UniSA riders.
“Matt attacked well – he got split in a group of six but was then counter-attacked by the Spaniards, who unfortunately got away,” Sanders said.
Other strong performers in the team were Gene Bates, who scored 3rd in the King of the Mountain classification, and Russell van Hout, who came 7th in the Sprints classification.
Although Team UniSA-Australia lost two minutes off their lead, they are still ahead in the team classification by about four minutes.
“It wasn’t the most successful day but it wasn’t the worst. We are still in the lead, and that’s very positive,” Sanders said.
Today was also the Be Active tour – where recreational riders could slog out the same route as the professionals. This year 2525 people registered – a record number of participants in the Tour’s history. Many UniSA staff and students were among the riders – and their high levels of fitness and determination were nothing short of inspiring.
Sanders said that tomorrow the team must match the Liberty Seguros-Wurth’s breakaway riders uphill. Last year the Spanish team dominated Willunga to Willunga, taking the first four places in the 147km stage.
One of those likely to be in tomorrow’s Team UniSA-Australia breakaway is Paul Crake. Yesterday’s runner up and winner of the most aggressive rider jersey, Crake admitted that he was worn out from yesterday’s efforts, and had a fairly quiet day in the peloton.
The five-time winner of the Empire State Stair Climb said he was consolidating his energy for the penultimate stage.
“Willunga hill will be quite conducive because I’m a climber. The Spanish guys will possibly go clear and stay away till the finish – but I’ll try and stick at it,” Crake said.
After today’s stretch, Team UniSA-Australia still has four riders in the top 20 general classifications (Gene Bates 5th, Chris Jongewaard 8th, Sean Sullivan 15th, and Russell van Hout 16th).
With tomorrow’s Willunga to Willunga stage, the most crucial in the Tour – Dave set out clear goals:
“Tomorrow we are trying to secure victory in the team classification. We are also looking to get Gene Bates in the top three of the individual classifications… it will be difficult but I believe it’s possible.”
Stay tuned for the decider. It’s shaping up to be a
tough day’s racing – but Team UniSA-Australia will no doubt be putting
in another gutsy effort.
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