The Jacobs Tour Down Under is currently going on right now in Australia. The growth of this 6-day stage race has coincided with the growth of Australian cycling. Since the early 80’s there have always been Australian cyclists in the pro peloton, but in recent years they have become a major force. Sprinters like Robbie McEwen, Stuart O’Grady, and Allan Davis are as good as anyone not named Pettachi. You also have TT and all around specialists Michael Rogers and Baden Cooke. After a disappointing 2004 former mountain biker Cadel Evans looks to be at the head of the pack on the mountain stages. They have all come through the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). There is a good profile of a several of the current and past starts in the October 2004 issue of Cycle Sport magazine.
McEwen won the first stage of the Tour Down Under over Allan Davis in a sprint after O’Grady had a late attack. This result will probably be pretty common over the year with all 3 of them getting their shares of victories.
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