Teamwork keeps Menzies in sight of victory
20 January 2007
by
Rodney Magazinovic
The
147km Willunga to Willunga fourth stage of the Tour Down Under was all about
teamwork and tactics for Team-UniSA Australia in their quest to protect Karl
Menzies overnight lead.
A 60km/h crosswind and intermittent rain buffeted the field as it set out from Willunga for the first of three laps via Aldinga Beach, Port Willunga and Mclaren Vale.
The predicted early breakaway was made at the 40km mark with 13 riders throwing down the gauntlet, including Team UniSA-Australia’s Robert McLachlan. The lead group quickly established a 2:30 minute lead over the peloton which remained relatively constant for the next 80km.
Team UniSA-Australia worked hard controlling the pace of the peloton and keeping in touch with the lead group for the all important run up Willunga Hill. The teams specialist climber Chris Jongewaard was given the task to help pull Menzies up to the front group and that’s exactly what he did with Menzies back in touch with the lead group going into the final approach to the Willunga finish line.
In the final sprint to the line, Menzies was well placed to have a crack at the stage victory before being slammed against the barriers with 60m to go leaving Swiss rider Martin Elmiger (AG2R Prevoyance) to cross the line in third place overall and more crucially pick up a two second time bonus which was enough to see him to take the leaders ochre jersey from Menzies by a solitary second. The stage victory went to Belgian rider Pieter Ghyllebert (Chocolade Jacques).
Team manager Dave Sanders was full of praise for effort put in by Team UniSA-Australia.
“The boys were fantastic today, they did everything I asked them,” he said.
It’s going to be a thrilling final stage around the streets of Adelaide with two other riders also less than 10 seconds behind Elminger. With plenty of time bonuses available during the stage and Menzies strong sprinting ability, Sanders believes that the Tasmanian rider is in with a real chance of overall victory.
“We know how to go about winning it tomorrow and we will be giving it our very best shot,” he said.