Busy schedule can sure build up a thirst as Gerry Ryan, Andy Rihs monitor ORICA-GreenEDGE and BMC

ORICA-GreenEDGE owner Gerry Ryan and his BMC counterpart Andy Rihs were spotted at Penfold's Estate enjoying SA's finest wine on Thursday night.

ORICA-GreenEDGE owner Gerry Ryan and his BMC counterpart Andy Rihs were spotted at Penfold's Estate enjoying SA's finest wine on Thursday night.

When they got back to their hotel, they found the bar had closed so they used the old trick of ordering room service and having it delivered to them in the lobby.

It's a busy few days for Ryan who was in Cycling Australia meetings in Adelaide yesterday, before being expected to fly to Melbourne last night for the tennis, then return to Adelaide for today's Willunga stage in the team car.

News_Rich_Media: Cadel Evans has produced a stunning ride on stage three of the Tour Down Under to claim a 12 second over all lead over rival Simon Gerrans.

Evans Corkscrew record worth bottling

KEEN cycling aficionados have noted Cadel Evans set a Strava record up the Corkscrew Road climb on Thursday.

Officially the record now belongs to Dutchman Robert Gesink, who recorded 6:58 during Stage 3.

But according to tour scribe John Thompson-Mills, Evans did close to 6:30.

We reckon that will stand the test of time, at least until he comes back one day.

News_Image_File: Germany's Jens Voigt reacts after on the podium after winning the most aggressive rider award during stage three of the Tour Down Under this week. Picture: AFP

Voigt pays tribute to legion of fans

GERMAN star Jens Voigt has thanked his loyal Australian fans who love him like one of their own.

He drew great inspiration from their cheers up Corkscrew Road on Thursday.

"There were a lot of people saying 'yeah come on Jensy, push it up, you're almost there and shut up legs'," Voigt said.

"Then even one guy said 'come on Jens, give me a wave' and I said 'shut up and push me, help me, help me'.

"I was gone on the Corkscrew so I had time to soak up the welcome and the applause by the fans and it's one of the reasons I have kept coming back to Australia - they're great fans."

Get on your bike and ride ... it could pay off

IF YOU fancy yourself as a cyclist and you're aged 12-16 then it pays to look out for people from the South Australian Sports Institute at the TDU this weekend.

SASI - a dominant force in national and international cycling - is hunting for candidates to take part in its talent search program which has produced Rohan Dennis (Garmin-Sharp), Annette Edmondson and Damien Howson (Orica-GreenEDGE/AIS).

Visit www.recsport.sa.gov.au/sasi/sasi-news.html for details.

IN THE HOT SEAT

Port Adelaide defender Jackson Trengove was on crutches at the finish of Stage 3 on Thursday as he recovers from a jarred knee.

Trengove is a cycling fan and frequents stages of the TDU in-between pre-season training in Adelaide. On Thursday he was in an official car behind Cadel Evans, Richie Porte and Simon Gerrans as they screamed down Corkscrew Road.

"We were doing 80km/h in the car and they were getting away from us," Trengove said.

"It was amazing."