Tour Down Under 2016: Spectators reckon it’s pretty cool even in the baking heat

THEY came from all over to see South Australia put on a show, and the opening scene was a beauty.

TOUR DOWN UNDER - STAGE 1

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THEY came from all over to see South Australia put on a show, and the opening scene was a beauty.

Tens of thousands of people from overseas, interstate and across SA yesterday lined the streets to cheer on the Santos Tour Down Under riders as they began the first stage of the 18th running of the event in suburban Prospect and then set off in a blur of action for Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley.

Amid the whirl of riders passing in a second, the tossed water bottles, the streams of sweat, the stretching of world class muscles, and athletic faces strained with determination, the super cyclists did not disappoint on a day when the temperature also rose to the occasion.

Dressed in dust and sweat, Orica-GreenEDGE workhorse Michael Hepburn estimated that he’d drunk 12 bottles of water, ate three gels and a few ham-and-cheese sandwiches to keep him going as the mercury hung around the high thirties.

And he can expect more of the same for the next two days – with the temperature predicted to hit 35 before some relief from the heat on Friday.

For spectators along the route, it was an ice-cream, a cola, a beer or a well-placed misting mach-ine, although the predicted top of 40C didn’t quite arrive.

Star Wars characters in Williamstown cheer on the peloton. Picture: Sarah Reed.

But if the temperature didn’t quite reach expectations, enthusiasm did. Towns dressed themselves up in typical cycling flavour. As riders glided by, they were spurred on by a symphony of cheers, ringing cow bells and the thump of inflatable clappers.

Glenelg South cycling enthusiast Neil Corston, who has been to every TDU since it started 18 years ago, watched the race from the balcony of the Lyndoch Hotel with a cold beer.

“The great thing about the Tour Down Under is that it brings people from all over the state, interstate and overseas,” he said, adding: “It is hot – but that hasn’t seemed to turn people away, it’s an amazing way to show off our state.”

The Peloton leaving Lyndoch. Picture: Sarah Reed.

Crowds later flocked to King William Rd for the annual street party before the Stage 2 kicks off from there at 11am today.

First time TDU spectator Simon Answerth, who brought his pug Chloe all the way from Alstonville on the far north coast of NSW, said watching the final laps from Lyndoch was the best place to be. “It shows off some of the best parts of SA,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to come and I’m really glad we did.”

TDU Stage 1 in pictures

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Crowd estimate was 77,000 and Lyndoch was named best-dressed town. Rattley sisters Shelby, 10, and Libby, 8, stayed close to the water misters. “The water misters are the best place to be,” Libby, of Hewett, said. “We love watching the race. ”

While their favourite rider and fellow Apple Isle local, BMC’s Richie Porte, didn’t cross the line first, it didn’t deter Tasmanian cycling fans Chris Hinkley and his children Briana, 13, and Justin, 9, from enjoying the race. “It’s a bit hotter than Tassie – but we love the people and it’s a great atmosphere,” Mr Hinkley said.

Originally published as Tour Down Under 2016: Spectators reckon it’s pretty cool even in the baking heat