The Down Under Classic - Let the Racing Begin
Riding with Lance was really the highlght of the day.
The Down Under Classic is a 50km charity ride that is the first racing of the pros we would see. We had a very nice seat at the start finish line which would let us get a good look at the pro teams. In addition to good seats, we had awesome food and beverages which helped to make the event an enjoyable evening. Before the race all the pro teams were introduced to the fans.
The media presence was huge at this event. Many of the locals we spoke to mentioned that the crowds were at least three times bigger than usual and this was attributed to the official return of Lance Armstrong to pro cycling.
Lance, Andre Greipel (last years winner) and Oscar Pererio (Tour De France winner 2006) at the start line of the Tour Down Under Charity Classic. Photo - Lucy
The race would only last about an hour given that it was 50km in distance and these guys go fast. We watched the race, ate great food and had a few drinks to officially launch the race.
Today was also the day that we were able to meet the cycling group. There were 20 cyclists in our group and most of them were from various parts of Australia. In addition to the Aussies, there were four of us from Singapore, Gordon from Scotland and Klaus from Germany. The group would ride together tomorrow for an introductory ride.
After a few cocktails, great food and the completion of the race, we headed back to the hotel to rest up for the first group ride. When we returned to the hotel we approached our room which was blocked off by a group of chairs. I was wondering what was happening and asked this fellow in the hall. He asked me what I was doing there and I told him that my room was beside his and that I was going home. It turned out that this guy was the head of the anti doping association in Australia and that his room was being used to test riders for the use of illegal drugs. After realizing that our room was beside his he apologized and was a very pleasant chap. We chatted a bit about the race and the impact of doping on the sport. While we were sitting there (we decided to have a glass of wine with him in the hallway on the seats that were blocking our room) one of the riders had left his room. Ben, the anti doping fellow, had asked us if we knew who that was and Kim and I both said no. As it turned out it was the rider who actually won the race, local favourite Aussie Robbie McEwen. After hearing that Kim diligently ran down the hall and had Robbie autograph her hat!