Aussi's did well Down Under
From January 20 till 25, the peloton raced in Australia: the Tour Down Under was there. The 1st stage between Norwood and Mawson Lakes (140 km), ended in a sprint which was won by André Greipel (THR) just before Baden Cooke (AUS) and Stuart O'Grady (SAX).
Photo: Stefan Karpiniec
During the 2nd stage, the riders drove from Hahndorf to Stirling (145 km). At the end of this day, the riders sprinted again. Allen Davis (QST) got the flowers; Graeme Brown (RAB) and Martin Elminger (ALM) completed today's top-3.
Stage 3 led the peloton from Unley to Victor Harbor (136 km). Today the entire platform was Australian: Graeme Brown (RAB) sprinted just a bit faster then Allen Davis (QST), Stuart O'Grady (SAX) and the others.
The sprinters kept going this Tour as the 4th stage, from Burnside Village to Angaston (143 km), was won by Allen Davis (QST) who was followed by Graeme Brown (RAB), José Joaquin Rojas Gil (GCE) and the rest.
At the end of stage 5, which lead the peloton from Snapper Point to Willunga (148 km) Allen Davis (QST) was again the fastest. Second was José Joaquin Rojas Gil (GCE) and third Martin Elminger (ALM).
On Januari 25th, the latest stage was driven on the Adelaide City Council Circuit (90 km). Today Francesco Chicchi (LIQ) sprinted to the first place, just before Robbie McEwen (KAT) and - again - Graeme Brown (RAB).
Australian fans could be satisfied as their countrymen won 4 stages and four of them finished in the top-7. Allen Davis (QST) won the entire Tour. Second was Stuart O'Grady (SAX); José Joaquin Rojas Gil (GCE) completed the top-3. The time differences were small as 29 (!) riders finished within 1 minute behind Davis.
UCI Rankings:
1. Allen David (QST): 122 pts
2. Stuart O'Grady (SAX): 87 pts
3. José Joaquin Rojas Gil (GCE): 77 pts
1. QUICK STEP: 122 pts
2. TEAM SAXO BANK: 87 pts
3. CAISSE D'EPARGNE: 78 pts
1. Australia: 315 pts
2. Spain: 78 pts
3. Switzerland: 64 pts
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