Santos Tour Down Under News Stage 5 News
Meyer defends lead at Tour Down Under, Ventoso wins stage 5 Australia's Cameron Meyer saw his lead of the Tour Down Under narrow to only eight seconds as Spain's Francisco Ventoso dominated a bunch sprint to win the race's fifth stage. Meyer took a 12-sec lead over his main challenger, Matthew Goss, into the 131.8 km stage from McLaren Vale to Willunga, which took in two ascents of the usually decisive Willunga Hill. Link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i-q0N7g7eKFrl304qYbXpXOHOBcQ?docId=CNG.0a687712ffe53e5e40c68adf7e648abe.8b1 Last stage down to wire ADELAIDE sensation Jack Bobridge was beating himself up for his late-stage crash. But teammate and ochre jersey-holder Cameron Meyer hailed him for his courage in keeping an eight-second Tour Down Under lead for the Garmin-Cervelo camp. Bobridge was part of a three-man breakaway late in yesterday's pivotal Willunga stage, joined by fellow Aussie Richie Porte and German Ben Hermans. The trio led the field over the second ascent of Willunga Hill but was reined in on the run to the finish line. With 4km to ride, Bobridge made a sharp left-hand turn - one of the last bends of the 125km southern circuit - and slid, crashing to the bitumen. Link: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/last-stage-down-to-wire/story-fn6bn647-1225992922715 Ventoso wins stage five Down Under Movistar rider Ventoso caught the top sprinters snoozing as he launched his attack far from the finish line of the 130km stage to beat Australians Michael Matthews and Matthew Goss. Sprinter Goss, second overall and eight seconds adrift of Garmin-Cervelo's Meyer, will be the favourite to [censored] the overall win in Sunday's sixth and final stage which features two intermediate sprints with six-second bonuses. Link: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/22012011/58/ventoso-wins-stage-five-under.html Bobridge spill puts pressure on Meyer MUCH more accustomed to accolades and triumph, Jack Bobridge, experiencing the antithesis of those things, sat shaking his head and tending to his wounds. Perfectly positioned to be a key player in the tense final kilometres of yesterday's penultimate stage to Willunga, Australia's recently crowned national road race king was riding the perfect race for his teammate, Cameron Meyer who won Australia's time-trial title earlier this month and might also have been in the box seat to win his first Tour Down Under had it not been for Bobridge's untimely spill. Link: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/bobridge-spill-puts-pressure-on-meyer-20110122-1a0r4.html It's an edgy game with a few contenders THE Tour Down Under has come down to a race of three cyclists who have officially distinguished themselves from 130 others - some, like Robbie McEwen, Allan Davis and defending champion Andre Greipel, remained in contention until yesterday, while the likes of Mark Cavendish and Lance Armstrong were never really in the hunt despite their superstar status. Fittingly, the major pieces in what will be a furious game of chess today in downtown Adelaide are three of Australia's brightest young things. Link: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/its-an-edgy-game-with-a-few-contenders-20110122-1a0r1.html Still up in the air It is not exactly mission impossible, but Matthew Goss knows he has a battle on his hands if he is to walk away from Adelaide with the Tour Down Under's ochre jersey. Goss trails overall leader Cameron Meyer by eight seconds following Saturday's fifth stage from McLaren Vale to Willunga, having made up four seconds via a time bonus for finishing third. With 16 seconds in time bonuses on offer during Sunday's final stage on the street circuit in Adelaide, Goss knows he is in with a chance of toppling Meyer, who is not a noted sprinter. Link: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/23/3119073.htm?site=sport§ion=more Goss focused on final push after frustrating few days TASMANIAN sprinter Matt Goss knows he is in the box seat to win the Tour Down Under in today's final stage. But after narrowing the lead of West Australian powerhouse Cameron Meyer in yesterday's traditionally decisive leg to Willunga, he was left ruing a lost opportunity to be closer to the top. In typically hot and windy conditions, Goss (HTC-Highroad) placed third in the 131-kilometre fifth stage from McLaren Vale to Willunga that included two ascents of Old Willunga Hill. In first place was Spaniard Francisco Ventoso (Movistar), while the ACT's Michael Matthews (Rabobank) was second. Link: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling/goss-focused-on-final-push-after-frustrating-few-days-20110122-1a0iz.html Francisco Ventoso wins fifth stage of Tour Down Under after sprint finish Francisco Ventoso outsprinted Matt Goss and Michael Matthews to take victory in the penultimate stage of the Tour Down Under in Adelaide. The Spaniard clinched the 131-kilometre trek from McLaren Vale to Willunga in a time of three hours, six minutes and 10 seconds. Race leader Cameron Meyer could only finish in 13th place, with second-placed Goss closing the gap on him to just eight seconds. Link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-1349547/Francisco-Ventoso-wins-fifth-stage-Tour-Down-Under-sprint-finish.html Meyer, Goss to duel for Down Under cycling crown HTC-Highroad's Matthew Goss has thrown down the gauntlet to fellow Australian Cameron Meyer as the pair prepare to duel for the Tour Down Under title on Sunday's sixth and final stage. Spaniard Francisco Ventoso (Movistar) claimed a deserved win on Saturday when he beat Aussie Michael Matthews (Rabobank) by a centimetre (half an inch) at the end of the 131.8 kilometre (82 mile) race from McLaren Vale to Willunga. However the real battle erupted only metres behind them with Goss finishing third to grab four bonus seconds to cut his deficit to eight and move up to second overall. Link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5haINqIeFwL8owNjAPG7JTQsir3UA?docId=CNG.0a687712ffe53e5e40c68adf7e648abe.a21 Willunga victory for Ventoso Francisco Ventoso emerged victorious on the penultimate stage of the Tour Down Under and the race looks poised for a thrilling finale after Matt Goss's third-placed finish clawed vital seconds back at the top of the standings. The 131km trek from McLaren Vale to Willunga had long been billed as the queen stage of the tour and didn't disappoint with the fireworks beginning almost as soon as the riders had crossed the start line. Link: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_6690616,00.html Meyer retains lead with one stage left Two days after Movistar gained its first win in its current guise at Argentina's Tour de San Luis, Francisco Ventoso has grabbed another victory, this time in Australia at the Santos Tour Down Under. The Spaniard narrowly beat Michael Matthews (Rabobank) and Matthew Goss (HTC-Highroad) in a sprint along Willunga's Main Rd. Link: http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/tour-down-under-5-meyer-retains-lead-with-one-stage-left-29020 Tour Down Over: Bobridge crashes THE thrills in yesterday's 131km stage of the Tour Down Under came 4km from the finish when Adelaide cyclist Jack Bobridge hit the bitumen with Spain's David Lopez. The South Aussie cycling sensation was part of a three-man breakaway late in yesterday's pivotal Willunga stage, with fellow Aussie Richie Porte and German Ben Hermans. The trio led the field over the second ascent of Willunga Hill but was reined in on the run to the finish line. With 4km to ride, Bobridge made a sharp left-hand turn - one of the last bends of the 125km southern circuit - and slid out, crashing to the bitumen with Spanish rider Lopez (Movistar). Link: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/tour-down-over-bobridge-hits-bitumen/story-fn6bqphm-1225992958409 Aussie Cameron Meyer retains leaders jersey on penultimate stage AUSTRALIAN Cameron Meyer will wear the ochre leaders jersey into the deciding race of the Santos Tour Down Under after Francisco Ventoso claimed victory in the fifth stage from Aussie pair Michael Mathews and Matt Goss. Meyer, whose team-mate Jack Bobridge crashed in the final kilometres of the 131km stage to Willunga, will take an eight second lead into the final stage, a 90km circuit race on the streets of Adelaide. But with 16 seconds up for grabs at intermittent time bonuses during the last day and for the overall win, Tasmanian Goss is still well within striking distance of reclaiming the ochre jersey on the final stage. Link: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/more-sports/aussie-cameron-meyer-retains-leaders-jersey-on-penultimate-stage/story-e6frey6i-1225992854477 Movistar wins action-packed race MOVISTAR'S Francisco Ventoso crossed the stage five finish line first, but it was Jack Bobridge's spectacular fall earlier in the race that had people talking at the TDU today. About 5km from the finish, Bobridge (Garmin-Cervelo) was involved in a crash with another Movistar cyclist who failed to get back on his bike during the 131km race at Willunga. The Australian champion was able to finish and will start the final stage tomorrow, but was this afternoon sporting an arm bandage for his injuries. Link: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/tdu-stage-five-mclaren-vale-to-willunga/story-e6frecj3-1225992856828
Stage 4 News
Robbie riding to win Tour Down Under WITH ''model domestique'' Lance Armstrong riding shotgun, veteran Gold Coast sprinter Robbie McEwen has warned rivals not to write him off as the winner of the Santos Tour Down Under despite slipping to fourth place yesterday. Holder of a record 12 stages in the Tour Down Under, McEwen admits it will be tough to make up the time required to win, but not impossible. Link: http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/robbie-riding-to-win-tour-down-under/story-fn6ck6f9-1225992561010 Cameron Meyer dares to win Tour Down Under AN AUDACIOUS attack has elevated superstar-in-waiting Cameron Meyer into the overall lead in the Santos Tour Down Under. The 2010 Commonwealth Games triple gold medallist is the third Australian to don the leader's jersey after his unexpected victory in the fourth stage yesterday. The win has given the 23-year-old hope of pulling off a major sting by claiming the overall win in Adelaide tomorrow. Link: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cameron-meyer-dares-to-win/story-e6frf9if-1225992621214 Meyer ready to give his all to win CAMERON MEYER rose to the occasion when few expected in the Tour Down Under yesterday by taking the overall race lead and winning the fourth stage in a renegade breakaway - and he's now bracing himself to back it up by pressing the fancied sprinters in today's hilly fifth leg to Willunga. Meyer and three other riders from an initial six-man escape that set off midway into yesterday's 124-kilometre fourth stage from Norwood to Strathalbyn headed home a charging peloton that was led by fifth-placed Matt Goss (HTC-Highroad). link: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling/meyer-ready-to-give-his-all-to-win-20110121-1a03y.html Track champ Cameron Meyer takes Tour Down Under stage four win CAMERON Meyer, having come to this race with a solid grounding on the velodrome, has shown he can now match it with the very best on the road. Three Commonwealth Games gold medals in Delhi and four rainbow jerseys in the points race, teams pursuit and Madison is proof positive that under the tight-fitting lycra, be it the green and gold of Australia, or the black and white of Garmin-Cervelo, he has a very big motor. Meyer, 23, has now chalked up his first win in a UCI-sanctioned World Tour road race. Meyer did it with some panache, figuring in a four-man breakaway that included teammate Matt Wilson, who selflessly sacrificed his chances of taking the stage by riding himself into the ground to put the man with the younger legs in position for the final sprint. Link: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/track-champ-cameron-meyer-takes-tour-down-under-stage-four-win/story-e6frg7mf-1225992586980 Man in ochre shows system working CAMERON Meyer is just the latest in a growing roll call of home-grown riders to have stepped up to the plate in this Tour Down Under. To watch him slip on the ochre jersey in front of the massive crowd that had turned out in Strathalbyn yesterday proves to me the system to bring on talent in this country is working. The performance was a super, super effort, coming as it did just 10 days after the double celebration of his birthday and defence of the national time trial crown. Link: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/man-in-ochre-shows-system-working/story-e6frg7t6-1225992612123 McEwen predicts fireworks for Tour Down Under title Veteran sprinter Robbie McEwen expects a fight to the death for the Tour Down Under title as the lead changed hands again Friday two days before the race finale in Adelaide. Fellow Australian Cameron Meyer, a world track cycling champion in his second elite year with road team Garmin-Cervelo, claimed the ochre jersey after a gutsy stage win in Strathalbyn in the Adelaide Hills. Link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jYPHJ4kEDLbzA0h-L7qmR33qnBug?docId=CNG.d4bf2493e23bbda63c1a68cd11283f06.111 Cycling-Meyer grabs overall lead in Tour Down Under Cameron Meyer grabbed the overall leader's jersey from fellow Australian Matthew Goss after winning the fourth stage of the Tour Down Under on Friday. Meyer, riding for the Garmin-Cervelo team, held off the sprinters and finished ahead of his breakaway companions, Vacansoleil's Thomas de Gendt and Laurens Ten Dam of Rabobank, after a 124-km ride from Norwood to Strathalbyn, near Adelaide. Link: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/21012011/2/cycling-meyer-grabs-overall-lead-tour-under.html Cameron Meyer takes Tour Down Under lead as Mark Cavendish struggles Cameron Meyer became the fourth overall leader of the Tour Down Under in as many stages after he claimed victory on the 124km course from Norwood to Strathalbyn. Meyer was involved in a four-strong breakaway group and outsprinted the Dutchmen Thomas de Gendt and Laurens Ten Dam to win the fourth stage, which was good enough to earn him a 10-second lead over Ten Dam in the overall standings. Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/jan/21/cameron-meyer-tour-down-under-cavendish Double delight for Meyer Cameron Meyer swept to the top of the overall standings at the Tour Down Under after outsprinting his three remaining breakaway rivals on the fourth day of action. The Garmin-Cervélo rider moved clear of the bunch with team-mate Matthew Wilson, Vacansoleil duo Rob Rujigh and Thomas de Gendt, Rabobank's Laurens ten Dam and AG2R rider Blel Kadri, soon after the first sprint points had been decided in Gumeracha. Link: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_6681726,00.html
Stage 3 News
Mark Cavendish continues to struggle Down Under Mark Cavendish's miserable Tour Down Under continued today after Australian police mistakenly reopened the route to traffic before he had finished stage three of the race. The Isle of Man sprinter, who has won 15 stages on the Tour de France, took to the 129-kilometre course between Unley and Stirling still sporting cuts and bruises from a crash yesterday, and was so far back on Thursday's stage that police escorting the last three riders reopened the route, forcing Cavendish to dodge cars before finishing the race in 130th place, leaving him 131st and last overall. A statement from race organisers read: "During the Stage 3 of the Santos Tour Down Under the green light vehicle, which signals all riders have completed the race, moved ahead of the trailing three riders." Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/jan/20/mark-cavendish-struggle-down-under Cav fumes as roads reopened to traffic before he finishes stage Michael Matthews of Rabobank has won Stage 3 of the Santos Tour Down Under, but the big talking point of the day relates to events that took place minutes after that trio crossed the line, with police reopening the roads to traffic before cyclists including HTC-Highroad sprinter Mark Cavendish had completed the 129.7km stage from Unley to Stirling, which concluded with three laps of a 21km circuit. Cavendish, batterered and bruised from a crash towards the end of yesterday’s Stage 2, came home 12 minutes 29 seconds after Matthews had crossed the line, with the Manx rider, together with Movistar’s Jose Vincente Garcia and Lampre-ISD’s Matteo Bono, forced to dodge traffic which by now had been let onto the race route. Link: http://road.cc/content/news/29723-santos-tour-down-under-stage-3-cav-fumes-roads-reopened-traffic-he-finishes-stage McEwen in three way tie at the top Veteran Australian sprinter Robbie McEwen (Radio Shack) has taken over the lead in the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under in a countback to split a three-way tie after an incident packed second stage into Mannum on the banks of the River Murray. The 146km IG Markets Stage 2 was won by Britain's Ben Swift (Sky Procycling) in a time of 3:27:44 ahead of McEwen with Sydney's Graeme Brown (Rabobank) third. Link: http://corporate.olympics.com.au/news.cfm?ArticleID=11037 Matthews wins sprint, Goss takes lead Down Under (Reuters) - Michael Matthews won the sprint finish to claim the third stage of the Tour Down Under, while fellow Australian Matthew Goss reclaimed the overall leader's orange jersey on Thursday. The 20-year-old Matthews, considered one of the peloton's most promising riders, finished ahead of last year's champion Andre Greipel and Goss after a 129-km ride from Unley to Stirling, south of Adelaide. "It's unbelievable, Rabobank's Matthews told reporters. "With one kilometer to go, I was on Matt Goss's wheel, an extraordinary position to be in and he made the mistake of attacking too early, 300 meters from the line. Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70J1YG20110120 Mark Cavendish unhappy at Tour Down Under road traffic Mark Cavendish was forced to finish stage three of the Tour Down Under among road traffic. The incident occurred after police opened up road to the public after the main peloton had passed. "I did the whole last lap on open road, you had to stand on all sides of the thing and stop for traffic," said British sprint ace Cavendish. Asked if he had to negotiate much traffic, he said: "Quite a bit. More than you want in a professional race." Cavendish suffered damaging cuts and bruises after a fall near the end of stage two of the Australian event and his travails on Thursday did not help his mood. Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/9367693.stm Matthews wins stage, Goss leads Rabobank's Matthews outsprinted defending champion Andre Greipel of Omega Pharma-Lotto and HTC-Highroad's Goss - who recovered from a late puncture - in an uphill finish to the 80-mile stage from Unley to Stirling in Adelaide. RadioShack's Lance Armstrong rode well for the third day running, controlling the peloton and finishing in the main pack, three minutes 11 seconds behind the winner. Link: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/20012011/58/matthews-wins-stage-goss-leads.html Matthews shines in Stirling The world U23 road race champion - who won a stage at the Bay Classic series and finished third at the Australian Time Trial Championships earlier this month - burst ahead of the bunch on the final uphill drag in Stirling and was already celebrating his victory when André Greipel and Matt Goss sprinted it out for second and third place respectively. Earlier in the day, Aleksandr Kuschynski, Luis Pasamontes, Luke Durbridge and Thomas De Gendt had brought the 129km stage to life by jumping clear soon after the riders had exited Unley and the quartet's lead was allowed to stretch to five minutes before race leader Robbie McEwen's RadioShack team roused the peloton into action. Link: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_6677774,00.html Goss leads Down Under, Matthews wins stage HTC-Highroad's Matthew Goss reclaimed the leader's ochre jersey at the Tour Down Under as fellow Australian Michael Matthews romped to victory in stage three. Goss on Thursday started the 129-kilometre (80-mile) stage from Unley to Stirling in the Adelaide Hills on the same time as but behind overnight leader and Australian compatriot Robbie McEwen of RadioShack. And despite suffering a puncture 10 km from the finish line, the Tasmanian battled 40 degree Celsius (101 Fahrenheit) temperatures and a tough circuit to regain the lead he took after winning stage one on Tuesday. "I only just got back at the bottom of the climb with about 4km to go so it was a very hard way to get the jersey back but I'm very happy to be in it now," said Goss, who now leads defending champion Andre Greipel by two seconds. Link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gPM4nhBReZ07DmozEXUrcNruKkAQ?docId=CNG.733350afdbf556b78605f05aee0f52f1.5f1 Mark Cavendish's struggles at Tour Down Under continue The incident occurred after police opened up road to the public once the main peloton had passed. "I did the whole last lap on open road, you had to stand on all sides of the thing and stop for traffic," said Cavendish. Stage three included a rolling 12 mile circuit the riders had to negotiate three times and Cavendish, patched up after his crash on stage two, trailed in 12 minutes behind winner Rabobank's Michael Matthews. Simon Gerrans of Team Sky finished fourth. Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/8271192/Mark-Cavendishs-struggles-at-Tour-Down-Under-continue.html Sutton pulls out of Tour Down Under Australian cyclist Chris Sutton is out of the Tour Down Under because of injuries he suffered in the stage two crashes. Sutton suffered a nasty gash to a knee and several other cuts near the end of stage two on Wednesday at Mannum. He was among a dozen riders who were injured in two crashes, one with four kilometres left and the other at the start of the home straight. Link: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/20/3117237.htm Lance Armstrong hit by new drug allegations at Tour Down Under The final international race of Lance Armstrong's 19-year career was intended to be a relaxed swan song in the Australian sun in front of adoring crowds, but the seven-times Tour de France winner was today forced to swat away new allegations that he may have used performance-enhancing drugs. A lengthy investigation published in the American magazine Sports Illustrated included claims that he had been found to have higher than usual testosterone ratios in 1993, 1994 and 1996, and suggested that his teams had maintained links with his controversial trainer Dr Michele Ferrari. Armstrong has always denied using drugs and his spokesman Mark Fabiani called the allegations "old news from the same, old discredited sources". Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/jan/19/lance-armstrong-drug-tour-down-under
Stage 2 News
Crashes cause chaos at Tour Down Under One cyclist is in hospital, several others are bloodied and debate is raging after the chaotic finish to stage two in the Tour Down Under. New race leader Robbie McEwen and race director Mike Turtur had sharply-divided opinions on what caused the carnage inside the last 4km of the 146km stage from Tailem Bend to Mannum on the Murray River. McEwen was blaming gravel on the road but Turtur fiercely disagreed and put it down to the frenetic jockeying for position ahead of the high-speed sprint finish. Link: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/crashes-cause-chaos-at-tour-down-under-20110119-19wfa.html Cavendish crashes as Swift swoops at Tour Down Under Team Sky sprinter Ben Swift claimed his first major win of the season after surviving the crash-marred finale to the second stage of the Tour Down Under. British tyro Swift on Wednesday was one of the few sprinters to emerge unhindered in the final few hundred metres of the 146-kilometre stage from Tailem Bend to Mannum after a series of late spills caused mayhem in the peloton. Swift finished ahead of Australian pair Robbie McEwen (RadioShack), in second, and Rabobank's Graeme Brown, who was third. McEwen took the overall race leader's ochre jersey from overnight leader Matthew Goss, who slipped to second overall with Swift moving up to third. Link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jBGfocRaumThFsmICSKHKD8GYq1w?docId=CNG.6d766131923947fefa8d4cd43080b5e0.8d1 Cav to Carry on Down Under Despite suffering cuts and bruises following a crash on stage two of the Tour Down Under, Isle of Man cyclist Mark Cavendish is vowing to carry on at the first race of his season. He came off in one of several crashes during the closing moments of the day - this one was 4 kilometres from the finish line. Link: http://www.manxradio.com/newsread.aspx?id=49718 Bloody Cavendish hopes to ride on A GOOD night's rest will determine if Mark Cavendish continues to race today after being involved in a sickening pile-up that claimed Tasmania's Bernie Sulzberger at the end of a helter-skelter finish to yesterday's stage. Cavendish, the winner of 15 stages at the Tour de France, sustained deep lacerations above and below his left eye and extensive skin abrasions and road rash in a fall about 4km from the finish that also brought down HTC-HighRoad teammate and race leader Matt Goss and Team Sky's Chris Sutton. Link: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/bloody-cavendish-hopes-to-ride-on/story-e6frg7mf-1225991339331 Cavendish down but not out after horror fall Mark Cavendish will ride on in the Tour Down Under despite requiring stitches in his face following a crash at the end of Stage Two. The Manx Missile suffered a sickening fall when jostling for position for the finish into Mannum and crossed the line with blood streaming from a facial wound, as well as scrapes to his legs and arms. He was treated for his injuries and emerged to say he will sign in for Thursday's stage. Link: http://www.espn.co.uk/cycling/sport/story/68651.html Clean up the carnage, says McEwen TOUR Down Under race leader Robbie McEwen has called for roads to be cleared of loose debris and gravel to help avoid the carnage that marred yesterday's finale, in which more than a dozen riders were victims of three crashes over the last four kilometres. Yesterday's stage from Tailem Bend to Mannum on the banks of the Murray River was won by British sprinter Ben Swift (Sky) from McEwen (RadioShack) and fellow Australian Graeme Brown (Rabobank). McEwen, who was third overall to Australian Matt Goss (HTC-Highroad) before the stage began, took the overall leader's ochre jersey with his second place yesterday. He is on equal time with Goss and Swift overall, but his first place was given on a countback on stage places. Link: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling/clean-up-the-carnage-says-mcewen-20110119-19wo6.html Official blames 'fierce sprinting' for crashes Tour Down Under race director Mike Turtur angrily played down suggestions on Wednesday that poor course planning caused a series of crashes during a dramatic second stage finale. Tour de France sprint king Mark Cavendish was among around a dozen riders caught up in at least three crashes inside the final five kilometres of the 146 km stage from Tailem Bend to Mannum. Young Australian Bernard Sulzberger was ruled out of the race after he suffered a broken collarbone and compatriot Chris Sutton, of Team Sky, is uncertain to start Thursday after suffering a knee injury. Link: http://supersport.com/cycling/international/news/110119/Official_blames_fierce_sprinting_for_crashes Swift avoids crashes to take stage Team Sky's Ben Swift took the honours on a crash-heavy second stage of the Tour Down Under from Tailem Bend to Mannum. Swift capitalised on a chaotic final four kilometres, which saw a number of riders sustain cuts and bruises in a succession of crashes, to claim victory. At least a dozen riders, including HTC-Colombia's sprint king Mark Cavendish, were left nursing injuries, with Bernard Sulzberger (Fly V Australia) thought to have suffered the worst with a suspected broken collarbone. Link: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/19012011/58/swift-avoids-crashes-stage.html Swift lives up to his name at Tour Down Under Britain’s Ben Swift gave the Sky Procycling team victory in the second stage of Australia’s Tour Down Under after crashes near the finish skittled some of the top sprinters. Robbie McEwen, from Lance Armstrong’s RadioShack team, took second and jumped atop the general classification. Fellow Australian Graeme Brown took third for the Rabobank squad. McEwen, 38, was third in Tuesday’s first stage, which was won by Australia’s Matthew Goss, an HTC Highroad rider and among those who went down. Link: http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/other/article859574.ece/Swift-lives-up-to-his-name-at-Tour-Down-Under Tour Down Under 2011 winds through Adelaide Hills The riders are travelling along the 146km route which finishes at Mannum about 2.40pm. Enjoying a coffee at Millie's bakery in Nairne, Martin and Kathy Mason, of Sydney, said they were having as much fun during the Tour Down Under as they did when they travelled to Europe for the Tour de France several years ago. "This is a great race, I have only been to Adelaide on business and you do not realise these beautiful towns are here," Mr Mason said. Link: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/in-depth/tour-down-under-2011-winds-through-adelaide-hills/story-e6freawu-1225991045873
Stage 1 News
Goss leads Tour Down Under; Lance Armstrong sits in 81st After time bonuses, Goss was credited with a time for the stage of 3 hours, 16 minutes, 58 seconds and leads the race on general classification by four seconds from Greipel with McEwen a further two seconds back. Armstrong, Cavendish and Farrar were among a large group in the field of 133 riders credited with a time 10 seconds from the overall leader. Goss benefited from an oustanding team rier and showed his exceptional early season fitness to follow up his win in the tour's prologue criterium on Sunday. As the peleton hauled in a five-man break which led the field from the 12th lap, Goss maneuvered to the front of the bunch and followed Renshaw's wheel until he was able to drive ahead of Greipel in the slightly uphill straight which led to the finish in the main street of Angaston village. Link: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2011-01-18-tour-down-under-stage-one_N.htm Goss extends winning run Matt Goss continued his fine run of form by sprinting to victory on the opening stage of the Tour Down Under. The Australian, who triumphed in Sunday's Cancer Council Classic, was thrust into the firing line again by his HTC-Highroad team-mates and powered to the line ahead of defending champion André Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and compatriot Robbie McEwen (RadioShack). Link: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,15264_6668976,00.html 2011 Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 1 Report The 138km stage started in Mawson Lakes in Adelaide's northern suburbs and from the outset attacks were being made from the peloton. The first king of the mountain climb at Black top road was the launching pad for a three man attack featuring Gorka Izagirre (Euskaltel), Luke Roberts (UniSA) and Julien Loubet (Ag2R-la Mondiale). Roberts took the king of the mountain points and soon the riders were back in the peloton. Link: http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=18053 Santos Tour Down Under Stage 1: Matt Goss's stunning form continues as he takes race lead Matt Goss of HTC-Highroad has continued his storming start to the 2011 season by winning Stage 1 of the Santos Tour Down Under following a bunch sprint, the victory marking the 23-year-old Tasmanian’s fourth and biggest win of the year. Defending champion André Greipel, who won last year’s race while riding for HTC-Columbia but has now moved to Omega Pharma-Lotto, came second, with Robbie McEwen of Team RadioShack third. Link: http://road.cc/content/news/29599-santos-tour-down-under-stage-1-matt-gosss-stunning-form-continues-he-takes-race Matt Goss wins Tour's stage one from Andree Greipel IN-form Australian cyclist Matt Goss won the opening stage of the Tour Down Under with a well executed sprint at the Barossa town of Angaston. Goss took out the stage ahead of defending tour champion Andre Greipel and Australian legend Robbie McEwen. As expected, the 138km stage from the northern Adelaide suburb of Mawson Lakes came down to a bunch sprint and Goss proved too powerful on the slight uphill finish. He gained a perfect lead out from HTC-Highroad team mate Mark Renshaw and is continuing his outstanding start to the year. Link: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cycling/greipel-to-strike-first/story-fn3owcsl-1225990067756 Aussie Matt Goss takes leader's jersey in Tour Down Under In form Australian cyclist Matt Goss won the opening stage of the Tour Down Under with a well executed sprint at the Barossa town of Angaston. Goss took out the stage ahead of defending tour champion Andre Greipel and Australian legend Robbie McEwen. As expected, the 138km stage from the northern Adelaide suburb of Mawson Lakes came down to a bunch sprint and Goss proved too powerful on the slight uphill finish. Link: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling/aussie-matt-goss-takes-leaders-jersey-in-tour-down-under-20110118-19unj.html Tyler the American flyer right in the sprinting mix THE assembly of sprinters in the Tour Down Under starting today is better than any race in the world, according to the Garmin-Cervelo team's Australian sports director Matt White whose American flyer Tyler Farrar is right among them. White said that while Farrar has been spoken little of as a threat this week, he is ready to show that the anticipated head-to-head clash between the Isle of Man's Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) and German Andre Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto) is more than a two-rider spectacle. Link: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cycling/tyler-the-american-flyer-right-in-the-sprinting-mix-20110117-19u2m.html Third place boosts McEwen's Tour mindset Australian cycling legend Robbie McEwen is only interested in wins, not third placings. But that result on Sunday night in Adelaide's Cancer Council Classic was a telling confidence boost for the star sprinter ahead of this week's Tour Down Under. McEwen was buoyed by the result behind the quinella of HTC-Columbia pair Matt Goss and Mark Renshaw because he was held up in a crash on the second-last corner. Link: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/third-place-boosts-mcewens-tour-mindset-20110117-19tqx.html Goss quickly backs up for TDU dream start MATTHEW Goss continued his dream start to the ProTour, winning the Tour Down Under's first stage. The Tasmanian backed up Sunday's criterium victory in the Cancer Council Classic by edging out defending champion Andre Griepel and Australia's Robbie McEwen in a bunch sprint finish in the Barossa Valley. The victory firmly establishes Goss as one of the race favourites, with his HTC-Highroad team once again dominating the peloton when it counted on the 138km stage from Mawson Lakes to Angaston. Link: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/in-depth/ready-set-ride-tdu-begins-at-mawson-lakes/story-e6freaxu-1225990459917 McEwen warns of renegade factor ROBBIE McEWEN is wary of the battle between the sprinters in the Tour Down Under turning into a ''Mexican stand-off'' that could lead to the race being won by a renegade opportunist who attacks early. The Tour Down Under starts tomorrow, and boasts its best field. While it again includes American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong - for whom this will be his farewell to international cycling - the big focus has been on the strength of the sprinters and their crack lead-out ''trains''. Link: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling/mcewen-warns-of-renegade-factor-20110116-19skd.html Lance - I didn't come to sit in bunch WHILE the fast men of cycling are poised to upstage Lance Armstrong in his last hurrah in Australia, the multiple Tour de France champion says he will go down fighting as he begins his farewell to professional cycling at the Santos Tour Down Under, starting today. One of the major drawcards of the race he used to launch his comeback three years ago, the Tour is the last major event outside the US Armstrong will contest. Link: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/more-sports/lance-i-didnt-come-to-sit-in-bunch/story-e6frey6i-1225989911764 Brown warns of difficulties in Santos Tour Down Under's opening stages While the Santos Tour Down Under is widely held to be something of a sprinters’ benefit, Rabobank’s Graeme Brown has warned that the peloton’s fast men will have to earn the right to strut their stuff in the race’s opening two stages. At a breezy 138km, stage 1 from Mawson Lakes to Angaston seems preordained to finish in a bunch sprint, but Brown explains that the riders may find a surprise or two out on the road. The course is considerably lumpier in reality than it appears on paper. Link: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/brown-warns-of-difficulties-in-santos-tour-down-unders-opening-stages
Pre Race News
Aussie sprint legend tips Armstrong to bow out in style Aussie sprint legend Robbie McEwen believes new teammate Lance Armstrong is unlikely to waste any winning opportunities on what will be his cycling swansong this week. Armstrong, who won a record seven Tour de France crowns after beating cancer in 1998, will bring the curtain down on his stunning, and at times controversial career, at the Tour Down Under from January 16-23. And while the profusion of sprint specialists among the field has opened the way for teams keeping a tight rein on the race, McEwen believes all-rounder Armstrong will want to play a starring role. Link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iOR9yDnb91afOh6p0HeqCXET-bDg?docId=CNG.f93c98f5990a6d7be140bfad4bfd8455.391 Armstrong 'up there with Ali' THE competitive clock in Lance Armstrong is ticking down to zero. Armstrong is back in Adelaide for next week's Tour Down Under for the last time. After the Tour Down Under, Armstrong, 40, will confine his racing to the US. While it was the Tour de France that defined Armstrong's career, the Texan still exudes the confidence of a winner. But this time the emotions he will feel before the Grand Depart from Mawson Lakes to Angaston on Tuesday will be different because it marks the beginning of the end. "In cycling terms, there is little for Armstrong to prove," commentator Phil Liggett said yesterday. "People forget that he was a world champion in his first year as a pro, and had won a stage at the Tour de France the same year. Link: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/armstrong-up-there-with-ali/story-e6frg7mf-1225988026292 Sprinters battle may be Tour Down Under highlight The clash of some of the world's greatest sprinters, notably Britain's Mark Cavendish and Germany's Andre Greipel, may upstage Lance Armstrong's farewell race outside the United States. The Tour Down Under cycle race begins in earnest on Tuesday and the first event of the UCI WorldTour favors sprinters. Greipel won it two of the last three years. This year's event has attracted many of the world's top 10 sprinters. Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/16/AR2011011603612.html Roulston looking to make mark at Tour Down Under‎ A lean and mean New Zealand road champion Hayden Roulston says he has never been in better early season form and is eyeing a stage win at the Tour Down Under, the first Pro-Tour race of the season, which begins at Adelaide tomorrow. Roulston, 30, will be one of the main support riders for his HTC Highroad team leader Mark Cavendish in what is acknowledged as a sprinters' tour. The other New Zealanders in the race are Greg Henderson with Team Sky and Julian Dean with Garmin Cervelo. Link: http://tvnz.co.nz/othersports-news/roulston-looking-make-mark-tour-down-under-3999828 Two-time Tour Down Under winner Andre Greipel fears multiple threats for stage wins TWO-TIME winner Andre Greipel claims any one of 10 sprinters - including a host of Australian riders - have the potential to win stages in this year's Santos Tour Down Under which begins tomorrow. The German strongman also said he has nothing but respect for his old teammate Mark Cavendish despite the speculated fierce rivalry between the pair heading into the UCI World Tour opener in South Australia. Chasing a slice of history as the first man to claim a trifecta of Tour Down Under crowns, Greipel ominously declared he believes he is fitter and better than when he won the race a year ago. Link: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/more-sports/two-time-tour-down-under-winner-andre-greipel-fears-multiple-threats-for-stage-wins/story-e6frey6i-1225989384324 Mark Cavendish ready to take on Andre Greipel and put 2010 behind him The rivalry between Mark Cavendish and his fellow sprinter Andre Greipel used to be kept in check by their riding for the same team. But from this week's professional season opener, the Australian Tour Down Under, that will all change. The pair will finally be unleashed head to head, and the battle between the Manxman and the German could be a theme that runs through 2011. Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/jan/17/mark-cavendish-andre-greipel-sprint-rivalry Armstrong weighs pros and cons ahead of last ride Lance Armstrong's countdown toward retirement will reach a significant marker Sunday when he begins his last race outside the United States. The seven-time Tour de France winner will ride in a criterium prologue to the Tour Down Under, and when the race ends seven days later and after 500 miles around South Australia, the end of his celebrated career will loom larger. Reflecting upon his career Saturday, the 39-year-old Armstrong acknowledged the comeback he began in the same race three years ago had not lived up to his expectations, "but that's what happens in sport." When Armstrong ended a two-year retirement in the 2009 Tour Down Under, it was in the hope that it would lead to his eighth win in the Tour de France. Link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j1zjJjNrsLtdHvpqzGNL3fzny1JQ?docId=81468d8c95394b1f98519a563fb2de8e Cavendish, Greipel set for 'sprint brawl' MARK Cavendish brings a genuine ferocity to the peloton. The man known as the Manx Missile is the fastest man on the planet on two wheels. In a promotional video shown to the world's cycling media in Adelaide on Saturday to officially announce HTC-HighRoad's presence at the Santos Tour Down Under, Cavendish declares: "I'm not a f---ing animal, I'm a human being." But it isn't long before questions turn to Cavendish's relationship with former teammate and fellow sprinter Andre Greipel. Greipel, the Leipzig Express, isn't hard to miss in Adelaide as his frame is plastered across 10 storeys of the Santos head office. Link: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/cavendish-greipel-set-for-sprint-brawl/story-e6frg7mf-1225989043543 Armstrong not losing sleep over doping claims Lance Armstrong is not losing any sleep over a U.S. federal investigation into allegations of doping in his team, the seven-times Tour de France champion said on Saturday ahead of his final international race. The American will end an illustrious international career when he rides for his Team RadioShack at the Tour Down Under starting on Sunday. Link: http://ca.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idCATRE70E0R220110115 Davis aiming for Tour Down Under fireworks Australian cycling star Allan Davis hopes to add his own twist to the world-class sprinting duel that will unfold at the Tour Down Under. The 2009 race winner is ready to pounce at the Tour's famous "Queen" stage next Saturday, which features two laps of the tough Old Willunga Hill climb. Willunga is always the second-last day of the six-stage race and it usually confirms the overall winner. Link: http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8197588 Lance Armstrong says comeback a failure ON the eve of his final professional race outside the US, cycling legend Lance Armstrong has conceded his two-year comeback to the sport, which began in Adelaide in 2009, has been a failure. At least on the road. The celebrated cancer survivor said failing to add to the seven Tour de France victories he recorded from 1999-2005 in his two final attempts meant his return could not be classified as a success. But the opportunity to spread his Livestrong message across the globe and the growth of his foundation in recent years overshadowed any disappointment at being unable to recapture former glories in competition. Link: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cycling/lance-armstrong-says-comeback-a-failure/story-fn3owcsl-1225988423965 Lance Armstrong set for final overseas competition Lance Armstrong says he is not worried about a US federal investigation into allegations of doping as he prepares for his last international race. The seven-time Tour de France champion is taking part in his final overseas event in the Tour Down Under, starting in south Australia on 16 January. Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/9362739.stm It's Adelaide's tour de force SANTOS Tour Down Under chief Mike Turtur has compared this year's event to the Tour de France. The race director said attracting some of the planet's greatest sprinters including Mark Cavendish, Andre Greipel and Robbie McEwen had sent out a powerful message to the cycling world. And he said tonight's prologue - the Cancer Council Classic from the city's East End - was going to cause fireworks as competitors scrambled for psychological advantages before stage one pedals off from Mawson Lakes on Tuesday. Link: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/in-depth/welcome-to-france-turtur/story-e6freawu-1225988855608 Armstrong meets with Stynes Sporting and charity greats Lance Armstrong and Jim Stynes have met in Adelaide as the AFL star continues to battle cancer. Armstrong is in Adelaide for his third straight Tour Down Under, which will be the American's last overseas bike race before he ends his career. Stynes, the Melbourne president and 1991 Brownlow Medallist, has kept a low public profile since he was honoured at last September's Brownlow Medal ceremony. He continues to undergo treatment for cancer, while Armstrong nearly died from the disease in the mid-1990s. Link: http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8197061 Lance sees change of pace LANCE Armstrong doesn't want to end his career in the professional saddle with a statue in his honour. But he believes winning the Tour de France seven times has forced cycling to reinvent itself. The Texan will ride for the final time for RadioShack as a ProTeam's professional at the Santos Tour Down Under this month before signing off from the rigours of the international peloton. "I think I won the Tour de France seven times because we changed the way that people in cycling do business," Armstrong said. Link: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/lance-sees-change-of-pace/story-fn6bqphm-1225987463100 Tour Down Under awaits sprinting duel The Andre Greipel-Mark Cavendish duel at this Tour Down Under has already achieved a rare feat in cycling - taking top billing from Lance Armstrong. Greipel and Cavendish are two of the best sprinters in the world, plus there is a distinct edge to their rivalry going into this season. It is a massive coup for the Santos Tour to have the duo leading a red-hot field for the January 16-23 race. Link: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/tour-down-under-awaits-sprinting-duel-20110114-19r0g.html Lance fever as TDU hits city THE city will receive a double dose of Lance Armstrong from this weekend with more than 200,000 people tipped to pack Adelaide’s streets to farewell the US cycling superstar. The Santos Tour Down Under starts with the 51km Cancer Council Classic circling Rymill Park on Sunday (January 16). The event is Armstrong’s last professional race outside America. Race director Mike Turtur says crowds may match or better the 108,000 who poured in for the opening race last year. The return to a later 6.45pm start was a bonus. “It feels better as a twilight setting and the cooler conditions suit crowds and riders,†Turtur said. “We know right across the city when the race completes about 8.30pm many of these people converge in the city looking for an evening meal.†Turtur hopes the event will match the $41 million it generated for the SA economy last year. That also saw a total attendance of 770,500, including 39,700 from interstate and overseas. (see breakout) Link: http://city-messenger.whereilive.com.au/news/story/lets-go-touring/ SA pubs to help Queensland flood relief SOUTH Australian pubgoers will be encouraged to leave some change at the bar to raise funds for flood-affected Queenslanders. From now until Australia Day SA pubs will have collection buckets on their bars which will be directly donated to the Queensland Premiers Flood Relief Appeal. Link: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/sa-pubs-to-help-queensland-flood-relief/story-fn7ikbtj-1225987920461 BMC ready for its ProTour debut at Tour Down Under The BMC Racing Team has its sights set on making a good first impression in its ProTeam debut Sunday in the Santos Tour Down Under. It will be the second time BMC has raced in the Tour Down under. Last year, Cadel Evans finished sixth overall and earned the Most Aggressive jersey after Stage 5. Martin Kohler also wore the Best Young Rider jersey for a day and Tim Roe – who rode for Team UniSA – finished 13th overall. Evans won’t be back at the Tour Down Under this year. Instead, the team will be working for the team’s sprinters, Alexander Kristoff and John Murphy. Link: http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/01/news/bmc-ready-for-its-protour-debut-at-tour-down-under_155391 Davis aims to cheer up flood victims ALLAN Davis, who arrived in Adelaide yesterday, said he would dedicate his 13th Santos Tour Down Under assault to the flood-ravaged people of Queensland, particularly his home town of Bundaberg. The Bundaberg Bullet revealed that the devastation had affected him and his extended family before he headed south to Victoria after Christmas. Davis said he was forced to move prematurely because constant torrential rain had interrupted his pre-season. "I'm thinking of the people back home and all the work they've got ahead of them because of the floods," Davis said. "It would be nice to get a result here and there's a lot of people throughout Bundaberg and a lot of Queensland people who are suffering. Link: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/in-depth/davis-aims-to-cheer-up-flood-victims/story-e6freawl-1225985457659
Cycling stars to aid flood victims Lance Armstrong's Twitter ride, auctioned jerseys and prizemoney will be part of efforts at the Tour Down Under to raise funds for Queensland flood victims. The race has announced a series of measures to support the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal. Australian cycling stars Robbie McEwen, Allan Davis, Simon Gerrans and Michael Rogers have been prominent in helping organise and publicise the initiatives. McEwen and Davis were forced to change their pre-season schedules and shift their training from Queensland to Victoria in the last few weeks because of the incessant rain Link: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/floods/8196931/riders-to-aid-flood-victims Armstrong set for ride into the sunset International cycling icon Lance Armstrong says he will not be expecting a ticker-tape farewell ahead of his competitive swansong at the Tour Down Under this week. Australia's premier cycling event has been steadily gathering in stature and Armstrong's presence gives the Adelaide-based race, which begins with a hectic street criterium on Sunday, an extra boost. After years of courting almost as much controversy as he did success on seven golden years on the Tour de France, it will be the American's final international cycling event. Link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/cycling/Armstrong-set-for-ride-into-the-sunset/articleshow/7282169.cms Tour Down Under is Armstrong's last chance to shine Lance Armstrong probably will not win the Tour Down Under, the first cycling event of the 2011 UCI season that starts Jan. 18. But there are a few things working in his favor. This is the 39-year-old Armstrong's final international race of his cycling career, so he's essentially got nothing to lose. He rode at the last two Tours Down Under but did not compete for the title because he structured his seasons around the Tour de France; to him, all other races were simply practice runs. Link: http://www.universalsports.com/blogs/blog=shiftinggears/postid=509825.html Physical demands behind doping: Armstrong DOPING in cycling is due to riders pushing the limit further than other sports, Lance Armstrong says. The seven-time Tour de France winner said he was not worried about being mentioned in doping investigations, but was concerned at the high number of positive tests in cycling. ''To me, that is really a byproduct of the sport trying harder than any other sport,'' Armstrong said. ''I know if you laid those controls over any other world sport, especially one as demanding as cycling, you would have as many, if not more, positives [doping test results].'' Armstrong held a media conference in Rowland Flat in South Australia's Barossa Valley wine region. He is a starter in that state's Tour Down Under, which begins on Sunday. Link: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling/physical-demands-behind-doping-armstrong-20110113-19pxz.html Armstrong wants more cycling investment Australia has the talent, it just needs the money to fund a future pro cycling team, Lance Armstrong says. Armstrong said the likes of 21-year-old national road race champion Jack Bobridge, renowned sprinter Robbie McEwen and veteran Stuart O'Grady proved Australia had world class ability. "You certainly have the talent," Armstrong said in South Australia on Thursday, ahead of racing in the Tour Down Under. Advertisement: Story continues below "You go back 20, 25 years ago in the United States, that was the question there: can you ever have an American team do the Tour de France? "And people always thought no way. "But look now, we have four or five pro tour teams. "It will happen." The failure of the Pegasus team before Christmas to gain a pro continental licence was a blow to Australian cycling's ultimate dream of a Tour de France-level team. Link: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/armstrong-wants-more-cycling-investment-20110113-19pie.html Armstrong uncertain what future holds One of the world's most recognised and respected sportsmen, he's not lacking options. But just what happens after his final professional cycling season this year, the 40-year-old Texan isn't sure. Perhaps he'll listen to his alter ego, Juan Pelota, who wants him to compete in the Hawaiian ironman triathlon. "I have created this alter ego, he's really the triathlete and I'm the cyclist," Armstrong told reporters in South Australia on Thursday Link: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling/armstrong-uncertain-what-future-holds-20110114-19q8z.html Rafter, Armstrong rally to flood victims' aid Some of the world's biggest names in tennis and cycling are pledging their support for victims of the Queensland floods. The Rally for Relief is being jointly organised by tennis world number six Sam Stosur and Pat Rafter, who are both from Queensland. Link: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/13/3112309.htm?section=justin Gawler star ready for Santos Tour Down Under Look out for champion Evanston Park cyclist Jack Bobridge to stamp his mark on the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under. Fresh from being crowned as Australia’s Road Race champion at Ballarat on Sunday, the 21-year-old is keen to try and win a stage of his hometown race. “While I will be riding for my team Garmin Cervelo, I will be talking with the director Matt White about having a crack,†Bobridge said. The Santos Festival of Cycling kicks off with the Cancer Council Classic, a criterium race set in the heart of Adelaide’s city centre on Sunday, January 16. Link: http://www.barossaherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/gawler-star-ready-for-santos-tour-down-under/2044259.aspx Low-key champ happy to bypass attention Tour Down Under 2009 champion Astana's Allan Davis flew in to Adelaide beneath the radar yesterday - just how he likes it - ahead of the opening round of the new 2011 World Tour series. Before lining up for a record 13th edition of the stage race next week, Davis was in decent race form after competing at the Jayco Bay Classic last week. He ended the four-stage Victorian series in fourth place overall and admitted he was yet to hit peak form. Link: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/in-depth/low-key-champ-happy-to-bypass-attention/story-e6freawl-1225985454316 Armstrong says he’s feeling strong in advance of the Santos Tour Down Under Texan says he’s no plans to just sit in the bunch Although he’s been dividing his training energy between cycling and swimming – and, prior to a knee injury, with running too – American rider Lance Armstrong has insisted that he is planning on being a factor in the Santos Tour Down Under. In fact, the RadioShack captain suggests that working on those other disciplines has boosted his fitness levels. Link: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/7040/Armstrong-says-hes-feeling-strong-in-advance-of-the-Santos-Tour-Down-Under.aspx Cavendish will approach the Tour Down Under one stage at a time MARK Cavendish is taking a stage-by-stage mentality ahead of his first Santos Tour Down Under. The British sprint superstar, who has won 15 Tour de France stages in the past three years, arrived in Adelaide this morning declaring his form was ''pretty good''. Link: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/in-depth/cavendish-will-approach-the-tour-down-under-one-stage-at-a-time/story-e6freawu-1225984504987 Farrar to lead Garmin-Cervélo at the Santos Tour Down Under American ProTeam squad finalises roster for first World Tour event of 2011 Tour de France Maillot Vert contender Tyler Farrar will get his season underway in just over a week’s time when he and six other Garmin-Cervélo riders line out in the Santos Tour Down Under. The race will mark the 2011 debut for the American, although the other riders from the squad have already been competing in the Southern-hemisphere. Link: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/7010/Farrar-to-lead-Garmin-Cervelo-at-the-Santos-Tour-Down-Under.aspx
