Team CSC's Sports Director Scott Sunderland saw a Stuart O' Grady which seemed to be in a great shape: "As it turns out this race doesn't hold that many challenges, which means it's far too easy for the sprinter teams to keep the peloton together. But we tried to create a separation out there today. First we made several attempts at the beginning of the stage and then again towards the end," explained CSC Sports Director Scott Sunderland.
"Rabobank and Crédit Agricole were sharing the first place so they were doing all the work in the peloton, but they were unable to catch them so we had to move up front to give it a go. When we caught them shortly before the end Stuart attacked on a small hill, but he and two others were caught with only a kilometer or so left of the stage. I think Stuart still managed to finish among the top-10, which proves he's in great shape and if anyone can break the monotony down here its Stuart," concluded Sunderland.
Stage winner Allan Davis told Australian daily newspaper 'Adelaide now': "If there's anyone who's doubted me or said something about me behind doors you can stick this right up you," Davis said. Davis refered to his alleged involvement in the Puerto case. Although he was cleared by the Australian Cycling Federation the Australian sprinter still has no team for the upcoming season. Davis is probebly the first rider ever without a professional contract to win a Pro-Tour race. Davis only gained a spot at the Tour Down Under after the UCI allowed UniSA to enter the race via a special wildcard agreement.
"This is amazing," Davis said.
"We've been, my wife and kids, through a bit of a roller coaster ride over 18 months." Davis added: "It's going really well and I have done everything I can do to clear the situation up." Davis did everything he could to cooperate with sports authorities: "I've offered DNA or whatever it takes and I think people like Ray Godkin [vice-president of the UCI, editor], he knows a lot about the sport and the whole game." Davis continued by saying: "It's nice to have a guy of his capabilities and respect, batting for me at the moment."
"I fucked up," was Rabo-sprinter Brown's short comment immediately after the third stage in the Tour Down Under, but it said it all. But the Dutch Rabobank team was lucky as Mathew Hayman took the third spot at yesterday stage: "Good job by Mathew," judged Rabobank Sports Director Erik Dekker. "If he can win a mass sprint here? Mathew can come pretty close I think. After all, no Petacchi-like sprinters participate here. Yesterday's winner comes in fifth today, Mark Renshaw finished seventh the day after his victory. It can go any way. But I do not think we can complain having had one second place and two third place finishes so far."
Milram's Martin Müller said that his team uses the Tour Down Under as a preparation for the European classics but Milram does take the race seriously: "You can't forget that we are riding the first ProTour race of the year here. It automatically goes a lot faster,“ said Milram's Martin Müller. "Plus the fact that the Australians have been riding longer in this climate which we Europeans aren't used to, and they are already at their first season highlight. But we take this race seriously, too, even if it does hurt. It is the right preparation for the important races this spring."
