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The 2017 Tour Down Under according to Jack Bobridge

The task of Race Director Mike Turtur each year is to create a race route for the Santos Tour Down Under that challenges the pros and engages cycling fans

In January, cycling fans flock to Adelaide and regional South Australia to get up close to the world’s elite cyclists – testament to a job well done from Mike and the wider TDU team. But what do the pros think of the race route? Is it challenging enough? Is there enough variety?

Jack Bobridge is a team member of Trek-Segafredo, current Australian Elite Men’s Road Race Champion and soon-to-be three time Olympian in the Men’s Track Endurance team.

Jack has taken a close look over the race route and has noted two distinct changes for the event in 2017.

1. Staging Connections Stage 2 – Stirling circuit to start

Staging Connections Stage 2 is the setting for one of the biggest changes in the 2017 race. A starting circuit will be established at Stirling to see the riders off, with five laps to get the riders going before setting off for the finish in Paracombe.

Jack says he can see this circuit creating a stir for the riders in the fight for the Ochre Jersey.

“[The starting circuit in Stirling] is a massive change, being that we normally finish there and it’s normally a really exciting finish with the laps of Stirling, we get a fantastic crowd,” he says.

“I think the change is going to be quite beneficial for the GC guys that day, really starting to soften their legs up if they go to the blocks hard.”

“Everyone’s going to have the heart rate up and the legs under the pump before they even get to the bottom of the Gorge, let alone get to the top of the Gorge before getting to the top of Torrens Hill Road.”

2. Stage 3 – Victor Harbor finishing circuit

Stage 3 will see the peloton taking off from Glenelg, up Sellicks Hill and setting a course straight for seaside Victor Harbor. Mike has introduced a 13 kilometre finishing circuit, with four laps aimed at letting the fans get closer to the action, and the sprinters get closer to that elusive stage win.

Jack expects the action at Victor Harbor to be similar in tone to what we’ll see in Stirling or on Willunga Hill, with fans lining the roads to cheer on their favourites as they race past.

“13 kilometres, I think is a fantastic distance because you come around quite often,” he says.

“It’s not long – you’ll be under 20 minutes a lap, so it’ll be fantastic for the crowd and there’ll be enough times to come past in those laps.”

“Hopefully it’ll encourage some big sprinters to come back and race for the win there. I think it’ll definitely be a bunch sprint, and it always is a good sprint coming into Victor Harbor.”

He says the Fleurieu Peninsula weather could also play a part, with teams always striving to protect their leader from crosswinds.

“If it is windy then you don’t always have a huge bunch sprint, but a few nice corners at the finish to really thin it out and I think the spectators will like it.”

Jack says the format of the race is open-ended, with teams placing all-rounders in their TDU squad hoping for stage wins.

“I think if a pure sprinter comes now, he comes more for the fitness side of it, and some of them find it quite difficult,” he says.

“But definitely, with selection now, they bring an all-round team of guys, and you’ll often find the sprinters that come aren’t the pure sprinters, they’re all-round sprinters, hardy sprinters.”

“I think that also make for a more exciting race, as it leaves it a bit more open I think, with the stages and the bunch finishes now with multiple guys winning different stages.”

“I think it definitely leaves it more open and exciting for everyone.”

Jack is a proud local South Australian, and says the format of the Santos Tour Down Under is a perfect way to welcome European riders to his home country.

“I know for sure every team, the staff and riders, are always fighting to get to the Santos Tour Down Under,” he says.

“They all want to come here; they want to be part of it. Everyone’s in the same hotel, the mechanics have their stations, it’s always close to home and never too far away to the starts. Riders and staff all look at this race and think it’s a fantastic setup.”

In My Professional Opinion: The TDU according to Jack Bobridge