impact internet services tour down under 2001 reports liggett.htm

Jacob's Creek Tour down Under 2001 Reports
The Voice of Cycling Impact Internet Services is proud to support the efforts of Australian Major Events the organizers of the Jacobs Creek Tour Down Under Jan 16-21 2001. To visit the official website photo gallery just click on the Tour Down Under logo at the bottom of this page. Copyright Š2000 - Impact Internet Services/Australian Major Events
Mr Phil Liggett
It was 1999 and the inaugural Tour Down Under (as it was called in those days) and like many excited cycling fans I had headed to the Tour Village in Victoria Square to have a look at the mechanics working on the bikes and to get a heap of photos of any stars who were around. The two Phils, Liggett and Anderson were busy taping a report for Channel 10. After they'd finished I managed to get a couple of pics of the guys and had a good look around I headed outside. Phil was hanging around outside talking to a couple of excited people so I thought I'd take the opportunity to say thankyou for the pics. So I approach him, introduce myself and thank him for the pics. To my surprise I get a warm handshake and a pleasant chat. Later in the week I am at Cafe` Paesano, owned by his friend Nick Mio, with my then lady friend and who should walk in but Phil. Now I've only met the guy once but all heads turn as a packed restaurant spots the famous face and in front of everyone he walks up to our table gives me a big handshake and says "how are you Richard". I mention all this because I think it shows best just what Phil Liggett is as a person and a marvellous human being. Since then I've met with and spoken to Phil on many occassions and its always been a real pleasure. He always has time for everyone, he can be pretty damn funny, loves his morning bike ride and I've never seen him turn a fan away. This year Phil hosted a cycling tour around stage six of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under so I went along for the ride. Hell, I had sprung a live on air interview on him without notice so it was the least I could do.
So lets go round stage six with the "voice of cycling" ........ Mr Phil Liggett. Riding with Phil

Its early sunday morning in Adelaide, host city to the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under and theres not a lot of movement around town, but down at the tour village in Victoria Square, there is a buzz of excitement in the air. No not because a heap of the best cyclists are in town to race, but because the "voice of cycling" Mr Phil Liggett is hosting a ride around the final stage of the tour for a group of fifty plus riders. No theres no race hardened locals here, these are just ordinary, everyday people, some with their kids who will be pedalling the course today. Before we head out I arrange for Phil to go live to air on the Michael Keelan Gardening Show. Gardening, yes a gardening show. Cycling and gardening, well 5AA is the race radio station and I can tell you Phil lights up the airwaves quick smart. What starts as a short hullo runs for ten minutes as hosts Michael, Matthew and Ali give listeners to this high rating show an insight into the race and Phil Liggett. I'm glad 5AA is paying the phone costs to my mobile. The response is great from listeners, so much so that Ali gives me a call off air and asks if Phil will do another interview at 9:40 tuesday morning. "Just ask him", I tell her

and she does. Once again the answer is "yes, of course I would love to" I hear him say. Last function is to give everyone a reminder about safety and to check all are ready to go. All that out the way and it is time to head off on the big ride with Phil.

The "peleton" moves north up King William Street at a steady pace on bikes of all description. Our first stop is Elder Park the focal point of proceedings for the final stage race. Here, at the park is where the race starts and finishes, the presentations take place and a where Jacob's Creek will host a food and wine show for spectators on the day. This will be the prime spot to be on Sunday. From here we head out on the course proper crossing over the River Torrens and then taking a left turn in to Memorial Drive along a flat stage. The riders won't see it but the view of the city across the river and Elder Park but at this pace its a very picturesque sight from here.
Now comes the big crunch. The climb up to the summit of Monifiore Hill. Just joking but for some of these riders it will seem like Alp de Huez in the Tour de France. Phil leads a little breakaway up the hill as everyone else is strung out down the road. Mums and Dads wait for their kids who are pedalling furiously on their mountain bikes to stay in touch with the bunch. Safety is paramount on this ride and Lesley O'Grady, yes Stuarts sister is in a lead vehicle and EDS have a following car too so a close eye can be kept on proceedings. It's all good fun. I'm snapping pictures and the hills snapping legs, but

by good fortune we all arrive safe and sound for a summary from Phil, a question time and photos. But first we have to consult the race map and make sure we a following the new section of this exciting course. The race goes straight ahead this year and not around both sides of the river so we will be heading east on Pennington Terrace past St Pauls Cathederal and then making a left in to Sir Edwin Smith Drive, past the famous Adelaide Womens and Childrens Hospital. then right turn at Frome Road before rejoing the 'drive" at its eastern most point. Lasy year I had the opportunity to go out on one of the photo motor bikes and I can tell you we were really motoring as I photographed the four man breakaway. They were hurtling down here at 85+ kph as they strived to hold of the pack. Our group though is just ambling along, after all, this is a liesurely ride, not a race, there's no prize for finishing first today. Time for another stop and this time its at Frome Road under a shady section. Questions are coming thick and fast here and Phil skillfully answers them all before it time to head off. We are going in a southerly direction as we move on to Memorial Drive again where we will head west to rejoin King William Street. On our left is the river and on its southern banks is the University of Adelaide, the

Parade Grounds and views of our river boats, affectionately named "Popeye" and paddle boats all reflected in a flash of colours

on the still waters of the Torrens. Adelaide may be small but it packs a punch when it comes to value for tourism. The riders turn left in to King William Street and we are on the finishing straight a slightly up hill section that will be absolutely packed come sunday. Who will be the winner of this fabulous stage? We'll soon find out but today everyones a winners as all riders complete a lap of the course and Phil stops again at where the finish line will be located on race day. More questions on gears, sprinting and it is time to head back to the start point of our journey at the Tour Village. But the morning is not over yet. Time for a group photo for those who stay, a few autographs from Phil and then kids photos with "the voice of cycling". Phils wife Pat is arriving this morning and we have seen the plane carrying her, gliding through the skies towards Adelaide Airport earlier in the morning so its time for Phil to head to the Hilton Hotel just across the road before joining riders for a special breakfast. Everyone is treated to a great breakfast this morning here in the Hilton Hotel, headquarters for all the teams competing in the 2001 Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under. After the breakfast Phil presents riders with a certificate to commemorate their achievement today. All that out the way I join Phil and Pat with a special guest

I have brought in to meet him. Jerry Wakeland has followed Phils career with an avid interest for many years now, even after he had immigrated to australia. You see Jerry raced with Phil when they were little tackers between the ages of 12 to 15. And yes, Phil remembered him after all those years. Finally its time for us to go, but not before getting some pics of Phil, Pat and Jerry on the steps of the Hilton. It's been a terrific morning and one that EDS the producers of the official website have done a great job with.

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