Cycling: Tour Down Under
- January 23rd, 2012
- Posted by EUEditor
The Tour Down Under became another Europe-Australia contest, taken out this time by the home team, in the shape of Victoria’s Simon Gerrans (picture).
The 803-kilometre race staged during six days, over the last 14 years in the South and South-eastern part of the country, draws in a set of riders from international elite racing, and thousands of fun riders, children and amateur racers in parallel events.
Simon Gerrans, 31, ended the final day’s sprints, in Adelaide, behind the stage winner Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol team) from Germany; tied on times with Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) from Spain for the overall victory, and the coveted ochre jersey — obtaining his Tour win on a count-back of placings in the stages.
He was racing with the new professional team, GreenEDGE, which included also the veteran Robbie McEwen, providing close support in what was billed as his last race at home in Australia.
Reference
Santos Tour Down Under (Home), “Gerrans seals fairytale debut for GreenEDGEâ€, 22.1.12. http://www.tourdownunder.com.au/gerrans-seals-fairytale-debut-greenedge.htm, (23.1.12).
Pictures  wikipedia, southaustralia.com