Bobridge: You train hard, you are going well and then it's all over because of a puncture

WHEN I got a puncture in Tanunda I knew it was going to be hard work catching the front group, writes Tour Down Under cyclist Jack Bobridge.

YOU can't help bad luck but that's racing, and when I got a puncture in Tanunda I knew it was going to be hard work catching the front group and helping our leader Robert Gesink at the finish.

It was a really good stage and being the first day it was a bit nervous in the bunch, but I felt really good and had a good position all day.

Then just as we were leaving Tanunda I got a front wheel puncture, which is a pretty unfortunate time because the bunch was lining up for a run at Menglers Hill.

I made my way through the cars and got on the back about 2km before the bottom of the climb, then tried to wait a bit until I'd recovered and there was an opportunity to move up but it wasn't there.

I had to work a bit to get back on and to get over that climb with the best of them, you can't really afford to have done a big effort right before you get there.

It was pretty annoying - you train hard, you know you are going well and then suddenly it's all over on the first day because of a puncture, but these things happen and you've just got to get over it.

I lost four minutes to Simon Gerrans, who leads the race, but the good thing is I wasn't the key for the team.

Robert Gesink was and he's still right up there after finishing 10th so we certainly haven't lost the week.

It would have been nice to have a stretch and see how I felt on the climb because I was feeling good, but it wasn't to be.

Gerrans' victory showed everyone what form he has at the moment and what he can do.

He is world class at those finishes and there's not much he can't do, so full credit to him.

Because I wasn't there with the front group, I didn't see the crash in the final few kilometres but apparently there was some movement in the bunch and our man David Tanner came down.

We think he's broken his collarbone so looks like he's out.

He was going to have a pretty big role for the team over the next few days so it's going to hurt us for sure.

Dave was going really well, he's strong and is climbing well so it will put a dent in the squad.

But we've got to re-group and keep working hard for Robert going into another tough day to Stirling.

* Jack Bobridge rides for Belkin Pro Cycling Team.