Santos Women’s Tour Down Under mechanics from rival teams worked overnight to build the French team’s bikes after a delay

Santos Women’s Tour Down Under race director Kimberly Conte says all teams rallied to ensure the French team would be on the start line after a four day delay in Dubai.

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Three French riders including national champion Jade Wiel and Maelle Grossetete and Victorie Guilman were shown how powerful unity is when they were held up for four days in Dubai not knowing their fate.

As members of the FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope were wondering if the women’s Santos Tour Down Under was going to be safe after seeing vision of Australia on fire, flooding in Dubai brought the airport to a standstill which meant the trio couldn’t get to their bikes to keep their fitness levels at a premium.

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Australia’s Brodie Chapman ensured her jet-lagged teammates wouldn’t have to worry about having a hard day when she broke away 38km from the stage 1 Macclesfield finish line.

“I had to give them a bit of a rest and I thought if I went up the road they can spin the legs and warm up,” Chapman said after ending her day in 48th place when she was swallowed by the peloton near the finish.

“It’s one of those things people would assume I’m riding for GC and perhaps I am.”

However the French landing in Adelaide at 9pm on Wednesday after they left Paris on Sunday prompted rival teams to action a plan so they could safely race said race director Kimberly Conte.

Maelle Grossetete missed her flight and only arrived last night. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“How discombobulating for the riders,’’ Conte said.

“They just showed up and we showed them as much love as we could.

“All these mechanics from all the teams came out, grabbed the equipment and stayed out for hours to make sure they were ready to race.

“It is amazing, that’s why I love being in women’s cycling.

“Everyone reaches out to help each other.”

“Originally Astana had some trouble in Dubai and we had several other teams we were unsure about.”

And considering the nightmare trip to Adelaide for her first Tour Down Under Grossetete, 21, had a brilliant debut.

“For four days we have been travelling, I spent a night in the airport without sleep and then two days in Dubai,’’ she said.

“It wasn’t a good preparation but sometimes you can’t do anything you have to be patient and keep positive but racing was very hard I will be better day by day.

“I didn’t sleep (Wednesday night) and I’m hoping to sleep (Thursday) tonight at the moment I feel OK,

“It was a 25 hour flight time and in the hotel in Dubai there was a gym.

“So I just did a bit of (fixed) bike work but it’s more for the mind we did four days of nothing but it’s OK.