The Coffee Ride: Movistar's Giovanni Visconti's close shave not a lucky start to 2014 at Santos Tour Down Under

CYCLING specialists Reece Homfray and Val Migliaccio follow all the action on and off the road at the Santos Tour Down Under.

CYCLING specialists Reece Homfray and Val Migliaccio follow all the action on and off the road at the Santos Tour Down Under.

HAIR-RAISING

UNLUCKY Italian Giovanni Visconti managed to smile just hours after surgery on his broken leg, revealing he's the resident hairdresser for Team Movistar.

Visconti said he had been clipping most of the riders' hair and on Saturday decided to shed his own locks.

"I wanted to look tough, like in the military," he said.

"I got the number three clippers, brand new start to the season and look what happens."

BOLD CALL

MONDAY'S book launch of Green, Gold and Bold which charts the journey of Australian cycling and the 100th edition of the Tour de France threw up no shortage of banter among riders and officials.

Legendary cycling figure John Trevorrow - who co-wrote the book with News Limited journalist Ron Reed - spoke about covering the Tour de France since 1991 when he didn't even have to book accommodation.

The book includes a list of the top-50 Australian road cyclists of all time.

Not surprisingly, Cadel Evans tops the list at number one followed by Phil Anderson, Robbie McEwen, Stuart O'Grady and Russell Mockridge.

Matt Goss, who came in at number nine, was interviewed in front of the audience by Phil Liggett where it was mentioned he was one spot in front of fellow Tasmanian Richie Porte at number 10.

"That was the first time I'd looked at the book and I noticed that," Goss said.

"So I'll get two books and put them together and sent him a photo."

Sir Chris Hoy, left, at the Hilton with barrister Tony Fitzmaurice from Vespa Espresso. Picture: Sarah Reed.

WHAT A RIDE

SIR Chris Hoy has described his excitement when he saw a cyclist riding one of his personally designed and built bikes on the street for the first time.

Hoy is hands-on with everything from the design, geometry and componentry at Hoy Bikes which is keeping him busy in retirement.

"The first time it happened it was two weeks after the launch and I was in a taxi with my manager and he said 'when do you think we'll see our first Hoy bike on the street?'

"And I said, there are four million bikes a year sold in the UK and we've only sold a couple of hundred'.

"Just as I said that this guy went past and I said 'there's one!' and he said 'you must have planted that'. It was a great feeling."

HIPPO CHARGE

TV CALLER Paul Sherwen has revealed he was a Kenyan safari guide during his time away from the sport he loves.

The revered TV commentator is based in Uganda where he has lived since he was a kid in 1963.

"I was also charged by a hippo that was fun.

"I was at a mate's ranch east of Nairobi down by a watering hole and having sundowners at the end of the day.

"We were looking at the hippo sitting in front of the cars and having a beer.

"Then the hippo charged ... they go fast.

"We vaulted over the bonnet of the cars without spilling a drop of beer, the hippo attacked two cars before a lady hit the horn and that startled the hippo."

Sky Racing rider Nathan Earle. Picture: Simon Cross.

IN THE HOT SEAT

NATHAN Earle, come on down!

The Team Sky rider was relaxing at home in Hobart on Sunday night then minutes later, was literally in the hot-seat.

"I was watching the delayed coverage of the crit on Sunday night and saw CJ crash, then a minute later I got a call saying 'you might be coming over tomorrow'," he told The Coffee Ride.

"Then about midday on Monday that was confirmed so it was a frantic pack the bike and get a flight.

"I've got big shoes to fill but these things happen."

Andrew Coldbeck. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe.

BEAT CANCER TOUR RIDER PROFILE

Name: Andrew Coldbeck

Age: 50

From: Northbridge, WA

Bike: BMC SL01 road racer

Why I'm riding: "I simply want to do more. This sense of contribution, the bonds formed with other riders and crew, and the physical challenge of the riding has inspired me to become involved in the Beat Cancer Tour."