Tour Down Under lives strong despite Lance Armstrong controversy

STROLLERS, kid-sized bikes, baby seats, baby carriages and picnics marked the final stage of the Santos Tour Down Under as a family day.

Tour Down Under

STROLLERS, kid-sized bikes, baby seats, baby carriages and picnics marked the final stage of the Santos Tour Down Under yesterday as a family day.

Rather than clinging to road shoulders or perching on footpaths, spectators had the luxury of spreading out across the North Adelaide parklands and ample opportunity to observe the peloton streaking by on the 20-lap circuit.

From the enthusiastic countdown to the race start outside the Festival Centre at 1.30pm to the finish about 90 minutes later, the atmosphere was relaxed and festive. The fact that the outcome of the race had already been determined didn't dampen the enthusiasm.

Nor had Lance Armstrong's admission in the week before the Tour that he had cheated soured attitudes to the event or to the sport in general.

"Not at all," said Sally Fletcher from Colonel Light Gardens, who, with her husband Michael and daughter Matilda, 15, had taken up position on the corner of King William Rd and War Memorial Drive.

"It's disappointing, of course, but the sport is a lot bigger than any one individual."

Tour Down Under

Nearby, Phil Cockerill was wheeling his bike and sporting a cycling outfit bearing the Livestrong brand, the charity founded by Armstrong.

As far as Mr Cockerill was concerned, Livestrong's reputation had been untainted by Armstrong's confession.

"I look on this as completely separate, it's saving people's lives from cancer," he said.

Mr Cockerill, a piano tuner from Ballarat, Victoria, also volunteered the view that the Tour Down Under had to stay in South Australia.

"The wines, the topography, the Adelaide Hills, Willunga  ... the people are lovely and the way the South Australian Government has embraced it, nobody could better that," he said.
 

Tour Down Under

Enjoying the shade near the corner of Sir Edwin Smith Ave, Glandore neighbours Caroline Austin and Anne Jantzen, had ridden their bikes in with their children, including five-year-old Isabelle.

"It's so nice being able to ride into the city," said Ms Austin.

"We've been to a few of the events during the week. We're big fans."

Tour Down Under

Australian veteran Stuart O'Grady said that the big crowd numbers this week showed cycling was alive and well.

"No one person is ever bigger than the sport, all sports move on, we have moved on and the support we have had this week is absolutely top-notch,” he said.

“Besides the Tour de France, these are the biggest crowds I've seen. It has a lot to say for cycling and it's great to see people believe in what the boys are doing at the moment.”

Tour Down Under