The Coffee Ride: Orica-GreenEDGE rider Michael Matthews back on track for 2014 Tour Down Under

REECE Homfray and Val Migliaccio take a look at what's happening on the road and off in the build-up to the Santos Tour Down Under.

REECE Homfray and Val Migliaccio take a look at what's happening on the road and off in the build-up to the Santos Tour Down Under.

BACK ON TRACK

ORICA-GreenEDGE fast man Michael Matthews spent a few days before the TDU warming up the legs with track sessions at the Adelaide SuperDrome.

Not all went to plan with the TDU stage winner hurting his back but Matthews was able to overcome the injury scare to race the national titles in Buninyong and start in Adelaide this week.

"You don't get too many opportunities in the season to do specific work and he hasn't got access to a velodrome in Europe," GreenEDGE sports director Matt White said.

"He did a few sprint drills and tweaked his back but he's alright and moving OK."

Matthews enjoyed a breakout season in 2013, winning two stages of the Vuelta a Espana, the Tour of Utah and had second-placings at California and the Dauphine.

Cadel Evans, left, and Simon Gerrans before the People's Choice Classic on Sunday. Picture: Mark Gunter/AFP Photo.

LISTEN UP, DAD

WHILE Cadel Evans is racing in Adelaide this week, his wife and son are on the other side of the world waiting for him to return to Europe.

And as usual, Robel had some advice for Evans on the weekend.

"I Skyped Robel on Saturday night and I said 'I'm racing tomorrow' and he said 'Stay attento!', be careful.

"He has a couple of little bikes and for his age, he's very, very good."

So what's harder, chasing Robel around the house or climbing the Col du Galibier?

"Climbing Galibier, sorry to disappoint you," Evans told reporters.

Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy making coffee with Tony Fitzmaurice from Vespa Espresso. Picture: Sarah Reed.

SIR BARISTA

SIR Chris Hoy was happy making coffees for the media at The Hilton on Sunday.

The greatest ever Olympic cyclist took a few quick coffee lessons from expert barista Tony Fitzmaurice from Vespa Espresso before pouring his artwork into the cups of the scribes.

Fitzmaurice became the star attraction as Hoy was eager to make the perfect cup before the Scot couldn't resist temptation any longer.

As the media was taking happy snaps of Hoy making the finest, he pulled out his iPhone and asked The Coffee Ride to take a photo of him with Fitzmaurice in front of the trusty coffee machine.

Fitzmaurice, by the way, is the resident Tour Down Under media centre barista.

V8 Supercar driver Tim Slade, centre, with Tour Down Under's Jack Bobridge, left, and Graeme Brown. Slade is set to ride in the Bupa Challenge. Picture: Sarah Reed.

TWO WHEELS, INSTEAD OF FOUR

HOLDEN V8 Supercar driver Tim Slade will be generating horsepower of a different kind on Adelaide's roads this week.

The 28-year-old who is preparing for the Clipsal 500 from February 27 to March 2 is a serious cycling fan who uses bike riding to maintain his fitness in the off-season.

"I'll ride out through the hills and out Mount Lofty," Slade said.

"Cycling is my favourite form of fitness so I do a lot of that, gym and a little bit of running and I'll stay out here for the Tour Down Under."

GERRO FAVOURITE

SIMON Gerrans is the hot tip to claim a third TDU crown.

He is Sportsbet.com.au's favourite at $3 while Sky's Richie Porte is at $7 and BMC's Cadel Evans third best at $9.

The top five for overall is rounded out by Javier Moreno ($10) and Geraint Thomas ($13).

TWEET OF THE DAY

"I'm ok after my crash too. Just some skin. it'll grow back. Happy with 4th place tonight. Rubbing is racing."

- Team Sky's Chris Sutton.

Baden Cooke and Michael Klim talk to cyclist Simon Clarke at Sunday's People's Choice Classic. Picture: Sarah Reed.

THE HOT SEAT

THERE was no shortage of big names among the 90,000 strong crowd that turned out to watch Sunday's People's Choice Classic and that included retired swimmer Michael Klim.

The Olympic gold medallist looked relaxed as he sat in the front row next to retired cyclist Baden Cooke in a corporate suite right on the finish line and spoke with Orica-GreenEDGE star Simon Clarke before the race.

Klim is clearly keeping himself in good condition as he looks like he could jump straight back in the pool and compete tomorrow.

BEAT CANCER TOUR PROFILE

Name: Paul Bowden

Age: 44

From: Albany Creek, QLD

Bike: Pinarello Dogma 2

Why I'm riding: "I love the idea of riding the roads around Adelaide like a pro and as my dad is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, I want to raise awareness of the need for more research into better treatment and ultimately a cure."