Jacob's Creek Tour down Under 2001 Reports
The Tour Launch Once the hub of cycling and the only place considered worthy of the big teams participation, Europe is now taking a less of stranglehold on the sport of cycling as the big pro teams focus on little known South Australia and in particular it's class tour event the "Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under". It hasn't taken long to ignite the flames of passion for this event in the tours home town of Adelaide as tens of thousands of it's residents have converted their passions for cricket and aussie rules over to following the tour through their streets, suburbs and small villages either joining the crowds roadside or following the event on television. Next years itinery will test the fans loyalty as the tour moves further away from its traditional roots of being close to the capital and out into the "boondocks" as the yanks would say. One thing organizers will be praying for is ideal weather. In the previous two years the weather has taken a decided turn for the better right at race start with cool unseasonal weather replacing the scorching conditions in the weeks prior to the running of the event. For all that it's looking good for 2001 and if the enthusiasm of race director Mike Turtur is anything to go by we should see a crack a jack race over the six days. The former track cycling star had plenty to be proud of at this years tour launch but he also had a word of warning for the lesser experienced riders who will join the big names of world cycling in the race peleton reminding them that there is more than just the race at stake here.

So who will be coming and who won't be in Adelaide when the race gets underway at seaside Glenelg on the 16th of January 2001. The biggest name to be touted is that of "Super Mario" the italian sprint star whose name has been bandied around before in cycling circles. In the past its been a no show for the sprint king with the movie star looks and it may be the same in Adelaide for the flambouyant cyclist is evidently under investigation for fisty cuffs in an event earlier in the season with Francisco Cerezo. Lets hope that Adelaide scores a real first here with the appearance of Chipollini. Theres no big secret to the fact that the race would benefit by having the big star here but will it happen. "The Chipollini aspect is a consideration we've had since year one and we all know the problems we've had securing the deal" Turter said. "The difference between any other year is that Saeco nominated him as their number one rider on the list of eight, he is on the contract and the ticket has been processed and sent and we've never done that before." Well cycling fans will be left holding their breath in expectation that Turtur can succeed in his efforts but we will just have to wait and see if thats the case. I for one certainly hope that Mike has convinced Saeco management of the importance of having the sprinter here. Talking stars you can't go past Adelaides favourite two some Stuart O'Grady and Brett Aitken. O'Grady the star of 1999 when he won the inaugural Tour Down Under will be in full flight for the race and is in serious training. I happened upon him out at Reynella during the week when the temp was 33C and the champ was heading home by the long route getting in plenty of valuable miles. Talking to the media at the launch he said "I just want to get together a good solid year and get to my full potential because I don't think I have yet." "For me prersonally this(the tour) is pretty important. It's always good to get the monkey off your back as early as you can in the season." Stuart will once again have Magnus Bachstedt in the tour and will be joined by third place getter in this years Tour de France american Bobby Julich. Julich must go in as the tour favourite as he is a class allround cyclist. Brett Aitken is looking forward to competing with some of his fellow south aussie mates in the new Team University of South Australia. The team includes the best of home based riders including Team Caffe` Paesano riders Stevie Cunningham and Russell Van Hout, Russell has recentyl returned from competing for an Italian team while Stevie put in a great effort at this years Tour of Tasmania. Other local riders are Gene Bates, former Junior World champion Luke Roberts and the talented Adrian Laidler. I had the chance to catch up with Brett over the phone after the tour launch. He's on a pretty tight schedule but is concentrating on getting as many miles back into the old legs as possible. Returning from Europe where he and Scott placed 2nd in the Ghent Six Day, Brett recently won the Australian Criterium Championships in Perth and will fly out to Tasmania late on xmas day for the traditional christmas carnival on the "Apple Isle". After that it will be the Skilled Engineering Bay Criterium Series from the 3rd-7th so lets hope he's fighting fit and in plenty of form for the six stages of the tour. On the team he tells me they have a very positive attitude and all the guys are raring to go and relishing the opportunity to mix it with the biggest names in international cycling. Another Australian under the spotlight is the flambouyant and talented Graeme Brown who will lead the United Water team. Talking about the team they will be minus two big guns from last year with Luke Robert going to Team University and Stage winner and jersey holder Michael Rogers starting in the Mapei Quick Step Team. Brown attracted the attention of Turter who is reported as issuing a warning to Brown regarding his attitude while racing in the tour. "I'm sure Grame Brown realises, and he will be told by the people who manage the team, that he is riding with guys like Chipollini and Steels who are million dollar contract boys that rely on riding to make a living." Pardon my ignorance but if my memory serves me correctly both those guys have been in strife for heavy handed tactics during bigger races than the tour down under. Will they be handed the same warnings!! No-one including me wants to see any stupid behaviour in the race and thats something all riders need to keep in perspective. It has been a friendly tour so far but unfortunately cycling is a sport that has a big reputation for bringing out the worst in even the mildest mannered rider. Returning for this years tour is Gilles Maignan, race winner for 2000 who has had a blinder of a year, perhaps this is the best testimony as to how important the event is for setting up your fitness prior to the spring classics. Not returning is the very popular Erik Zabel whose performance this year on Menglers Hill in the Gawler to Tanunda stage was just brilliant. It certainly looks great for the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under and the tour team have done a superb job attracting such a class field to what is unkindly refered to as a "big country town" by our interstate rivals. Well all I can say is "hallelujah" and thankyou for miracles as the premier cycling event, the "Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under", the award winning tour down under, is about to awaken the passions of the worlds best cyclists in the best tour race outside of europe once again. I for one just can't wait for January 16th to come round. RACE TEAMS 2001 SUNSMART MITSUBISHI UNITED WATER UNIVERSITY OF S.A TEAM TELEKOM AG2r BIG MAT POINT P CREDIT AGRICOLE CSC WORLD ONLINE LOTTO ADECCO MAPEI QUICK STEP SAECO LINDA McCARTNEY

photos left-top to bottom....gilles maignan/brett aitken/stuart o'grady/erik zabel and mike turtur RACE ROUTE 2001

Stage 1: Stage 2: Stage 3: Stage 4: Stage 5: Stage 6:

Tuesday 16th January - Glenelg Street Race Wednesday 17th January - Norwood to Murray Bridge Thursday 18th January - McLaren Vale to Victor Harbor Friday 19th January - Unley to Strathalbyn Saturday 20th January - Gawler to Tanunda Sunday 21st January - City of Adelaide Circuit

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