The Jonker report - a fitting finale
January 24 2010
Beautiful skies, another huge crowd at the race and a well-earned win to Andre Greipel (Team HTC-Columbia) were a fitting finale for the 2010 Santos Tour Down Under.
It has been a great week and along with many other folk, I've noticed the Tour is getting bigger in more ways the one.
Yes, the crowds are bigger - yes, there are more people taking up positions along the route. But more than that, the event is becoming more "European".
By that I don't mean it is any less Australia - it is just taking on that feel, a significance that is much more like the big races in Europe...Le Tour...the Giro.
That was the vision for the Tour Down Under and I think it is happening and there is a real excitement about that that I hope we can build on again next year.
My best moments of the tour this year are these.
The surprise win by the new UK based Team Sky at the Cancer Council Helpline Classic (and their win of the final stage today - street circuits seem to be their thing).
Team UniSA rider Tim Roe's win of the King of the Mountain on day one of the tour.
The way the Team UniSA boys attacked at every stage of the tour - their courage and aggression all week is something to be proud of.
Riding with the other 8 098 people in the incredible Mutual Community Challenge to Goolwa - it was a great feeling - it is bigger and better every year.
And the moment you could never go past...watching Cadel Evans take on the challenge of Willunga Hill and breakaway in the dying moments of stage five of the Tour.
Special not only because we were watching an awesome rider and World Champion, but because we were watching with an audience of thousands and thousands of other spectators who were willing him on with all their hearts - there is something quite amazing about that.
It has been another fantastic tour. I have enjoyed being a part of it again and being involved with Team UniSA-Australia and with all of you as the Team UniSA Supporters Club Captain.
Same time next year?
Patrick Jonker