Cycling fans full-on as heroes climb the Tour Down Under mountain

THE Cadel army was out in full force at the third stage of the TDU, cheering the BMC champion's triumphant climb up Corkscrew Rd.

Cycling fans encourage the riders during the Corkscrew Rd climb in the Santos Tour Down Under, Stage 3. Picture: Tait Schmaal...

THE Cadel army was out in full force at the third stage of the Santos Tour Down Under on Thursday, with deafening screams and ringing cowbells heralding the BMC champion's triumphant climb up Corkscrew Rd.

About 118,000 enthusiastic cycling fans lined the streets along the 145km route, which began in Norwood and finished in Campbelltown.

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But hundreds vied for prime position along the King on the Mountain climb, 137.6km into the stage at Montacute, where they were able to catch a decent glimpse of Cadel Evans's stellar performance up the gruelling ascent.

The atmosphere was electric - after all, Evan's uphill efforts, followed by a fierce downhill finish, sealed his fate as the Stage Three winner.

Two-year-old Oscar, of Canberra, spent the day with his father, Tim Miller - a proud Evans fan.

Perth's Geoff Barret, aka Crikey Cadel, was there to cheer his hero on. Picture: Tai...

"I am a massive Cadel fan because basically he started off as an everyday cyclist in rural Australia; it just goes to show that any kid from any part of Australian can jump on a bike and become a champion," Mr Miller said.

A little further down the road was more evidence to suggest the Miller family wasn't alone - with a "Cadel party", fitted out with a picnic table and sunflowers, attracting plenty of attention.

The group of South Australian women were celebrating their annual Tour Down Under "Ladies Day".

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Group member Georgina Koen said they chose their position carefully - setting up shop on the steepest and slowest part of the climb so they could enjoy the "eye candy".

Cycling fans encourage the riders during the Corkscrew Rd climb in the Santos Tour Down Under, Stage 3. Picture: Tait Schmaal...

"He's just a good sport for a start," Ms Koen, of McLaren Vale, said.

"I think he's got that true Australian sportsmanship; he's a great rider and I just like to see someone who isn't just the flavour of the moment but slowly works up and does their bit.

"He totally earnt it as well, he's been cycling for years and he is very exciting tactically to watch."

But not all of the race-day punters were out in support of Evans.

Queensland-born Kerri Mowat, 22, positioned herself on top a small cliff face so she could cheer for her boyfriend of about six years, Tinkoff-Saxo rider Jay McCarthy.

Ms Mowat, who has recently moved over the Italy to be with Mr McCarthy, nervously watched on from her vantage point.

She said it is always a nice - if not nerve-racking - treat for her boyfriend to race on home soil.

"He gets really nervous coming home to race but he loves it," Ms Mowat said.

"It is nice to see him representing Australia as young rider - he's only 21 - so he's really proud.

"This is our third year that we've been (to the Tour Down Under) and it has gotten better each year."

Friday's 148.5km stage is preceded by the Bupa Challenge Tour and will begin in Unley at 11.30am and finish in Victor Harbor about 3.25pm.

CROCODILE TEARS FOR A LEGEND

CRIKEY Cadel shed crocodile tears for opposing riders as his hero took out the third stage of the Santos Tour Down Under, after a gut-busting climb up Corkscrew hill on Thursday.

The bright green, BMC Lycra wearing reptile is, in fact, the alter ego of keen cyclist Geoff Barrett, who said he was "undoubtedly Cadel's number one fan".

The 52-year-old West Australian does his utmost to prove this status, following his champion around the world when possible.

Case in point: He's been centre stage at the Tour de France six times and is enjoying his second Tour Down Under.

Crikey Cadel was born when Mr Barrett witnessed a shattered Evans come second in the Tour de France in 2007.

"I just remember seeing on the big screen his face and he was just so devastated that he hadn't actually won," Mr Barrett said.

"And I thought, 'He's going to come back and win it and I'm going to be there when he does'."

Mr Barrett said although it had taken time, he now had the support of Evans himself, with the cycling champion even following his animated fan on Twitter.

"At first he probably thought I was a lunatic - he probably still thinks I'm a lunatic - (but) he accepts it now," he said.

Mr Barret was quite the celebrity on the sidelines on Thursday; heralding "Carn Crikey" cries as he assisted amateur riders climb the ascent before the professionals made their eagerly-awaited appearance.

And while the colourful costume was all in the name of fun, there was a deeper side to Crikey Cadel, Mr Barrett said.

"My real aim is to make him laugh, because a lot of people reckon he was a serious sort of guy and there is a lighter side to him," he said.

"That was the feedback I got back in the 2011 Tour; the team manager came over and said, 'It has been great that you've been doing this because the guys have been having a laugh all the way along through the tour and it has kept our spirits high' … so whenever I'm near him I just keep playing the fool, which I can do."