Lance Armstrong fails to overshadow Classic opening

IT was no Lance Armstrong, no worries last year, following his 2009, 2010 and 2011 appearances in the Tour Down Under.

tour down under

IT was no Lance Armstrong, no worries last year as fans dealt with the Texan's absence from the Tour Down Under, following his headline 2009, 2010 and 2011 appearances.

But last night, the prevailing sentiment among the thousands of spectators who filled Adelaide's East End for the People's Choice Classic was no Lance Armstrong - good riddance!

The spectre of the disgraced cyclist was exorcised yesterday as they watched the 187 riders in this year's event race along the 1.7km circuit down Rundle Rd and around Rymill Park.

Questions of form and preparation were allowed to replace those of pharmaceuticals and politics as spectators enjoyed their first glimpse of the titans of this year's race - including 2010 Tour de France winner Andy Schleck, world champion Philippe Gilbert and 2012 winner, Australian Simon Gerrans.

Caroline Abbey and her daughter Charlie, 12, had come all the way from Esperance in Western Australia to see the Tour, and there was no doubt who they had come to see.

"The race is a highlight for sure and seeing Andy Schleck was a bonus," Ms Abbey said. "And I got a photo of his bum. I was trying to get his face, but by the time I'd pressed the shutter in my excitement, he'd gone."

Jason Rosenzweig was watching the race from near the start-finish area with sons Blake, 2, Lewis, 5, and their uncle Nigel. He said the event was a "fun night and a great spectacle" for kids and adults alike.

When not hypnotised by the clacking of cleats and the dervish-like whir of bicycle wheels, the crowd was kept occupied with music and entertainment as fans got in early to snap up prime positions in Rymill Park.

One object of almost naked curiosity was the inaugural People's Choice Undies Run for Bowel Cancer. More than $115,000 was raised for charity as participants donned joggers and briefs.

But despite the perfect summer conditions and world-class cycling, an Armstrong-sized pachyderm in the peloton lingered on the lips and in the minds of some spectators.

"All sports have got their challenges," said cycling fan Claudio Ramos from Seattle in the US. "Too bad for him personally, but that's how it works."

The Tour Down Under proper clicks into gear tomorrow with Stage 1, a 135km race from Prospect to Lobethal, and finishes on Sunday with a city street circuit.