The Coffee Ride: Legs for riding and a nose for red wine for Tour Down Under rider Clement Chevrier

As a sommelier with an oenology degree, it is no surprise young French cyclist Clement Chevrier chose to come to the Tour Down Under for a second time. Plus, the stork visits Cadel Evans again and how Jason Lea got his first bike in today’s Coffee Ride.

AG2R La Mondiale’s Clement Chevrier at Penfolds. Picture: Instagram

Young French cyclist Clement Chevrier has a good nose for fine wine and it’s little wonder he came to the Santos Tour Down Under for a second time this year.

The 26-year-old who rides for Ag2R La Mondiale is a very interesting character off the bike.

He has a degree in oenology — a study of wines — and lives in the beautiful wine province of Beaujolais where he runs a business as a sommelier.

Chevrier, according to Adelaide-based Dr David Stapleton, came to Adelaide early this year for training and to do some serious wine-tasting in the famous wine regions South Australia has to offer.

CADEL A DAD AGAIN

AUSSIE Tour de France champion Cadel Evans is set to arrive in Australia for his race in Geelong just a week after becoming a father for the second time.

Evans’ partner Stefania Zandonella gave birth to a baby boy, Aidn, in Switzerland last week.

The 28-year-old ski instructor is well known to Aussie cycling fans after she was an ambassador for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race people’s ride.

Evans meanwhile has been retired for four years but still looks like he could race at the TDU this week.

Must go riding...today...now! (10am and -3 degreees in Ticino🇨🇭 now) 😳 https://t.co/WgHqEqoY8X

— Cadel Evans (@CadelOfficial) January 8, 2019

The 41-year-old posted a photo of his bike computer in Switzerland last week with the words: “100km in rain and 3C ... just trying to keep myself honest,” Evans wrote

Once a cyclist always a cyclist.

HEY, WHERE’S MY BIKE

PHIL Liggett told an intriguing story about UniSA rider Jason Lea on Saturday.

Lea, who has been in the KOM jersey at the tour all week, had an interesting start to his cycling career.

His father, Jason Snr, was in a wheelchair recovering from a broken arm and leg when his 15-year-old son kept pestering him for a bike so he could start racing.

Jason Lea of Australia and Team UniSA-Australia celebrates in the KOM jersey after Stage 5 from Glenelg to Strathalbyn. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

According to Liggett, Jason Snr said he could have one providing he push him in his wheelchair the 15km to the bike shop in Bendigo.

So the youngster did, and now 22 he hasn’t looked back since.

CHECK YOURSELF IN

VISITORS who are due to fly home from Adelaide after the TDU today have a novel way of checking in their bike and bike bag — at the Tour Village in Victoria Square.

This year the TDU has partnered with OACIS to offer participants and spectators the chance to check-in themselves and their bike at the village.

Staff will also print their boarding pass and take their bag/bike to be tagged and transported to the airport. The next time they’ll see their bike is at their destination.

They’ll be at the village from 8am to 6pm on Sunday and 8am to 1pm on Monday.

THE OTHER VOICE OF CYCLING

MARILISA Pappalardi is another unsung hero from every edition of the Tour Down Under.

Rome-based Pappalardi’s dulcet tones can be heard across the race radio airwaves which have been a soothing blessing in disguise for those lucky enough to hear her.

Pappalardi has given race radio updates of what is going on at every stage of the Tour Down Under in three languages including Italian (with a soft Roman accent), French and Spanish.

She is also the Tour Down Under’s European co-ordinator where Pappalardi frantically works harder once every SA race is done in helping race organisers liaise with the teams to ensure a smooth transition to the next edition.

TWEET OF THE DAY

Today was one of those days where I realize how good it is to have great teammates 🙏🙏🙏 @Mitch_Bowen @AlbertoBettiol @McLAYDan @_TomScully_ @JiimmyWhelan Lachlan Morton @tomsoutham @EFprocycling @tourdownunder

— Michael Woods (@rusty_woods) January 19, 2019