Tour Down Under: Stage One - Tactics

Tanunda to Tanunda.

Five circuits.

This is good for the local businesses in Tanunda.

Maybe one of them has the Lucky?

But no. That is unlikely.

Bang! The race starts (in Tanunda).

Team Condor gets away fast.

So do the others.

Now there's nothing to look at.

Terence is watching, with Belle.

This is boring! says Terence.

Already? says Belle. Okay, let's get a red drink from somewhere.

They go off to look for café.

Team Philosophe is confident, and it's nice that the weather is fine.

Kierkegaard: This is pleasant. I may take it up as a hobby.

David: It's a fine hobby. Good for the circulation.

Vello: Yes, it's rather like fishing.

Kierkegaard: What do you mean?

Vello: Contemplative, or it can be.

David: But fishing is not so good for the circulation.

Vello: Depends what sort of fishing. Deep sea adventure fishing, reeling in a big one.....takes some effort.

David: Then it's not contemplative. I was thinking more of sitting beside a bubbling brook.

Gaius: Shouldn't we be trying to keep up with the others?

Vello: Curses! Of course we should. Ride on, men!

They pedal like the clappers, and soon catch up with some riders from UniSA.

Team UniSA stop talking as Team Philosophe passes, but not before Kierkegaard, who has sharp ears, overhears the word LUCKY.

Kierkegaard: What did you say was the name of the missing talisman?

Gaius: The Lucky. Why?

Kierkegaard: They were just talking about it.

Vello: Aha! Drop back, will you, and listen.

Kierkegaard drops back, as instructed.

He hears nothing more, and is soon passed by some Belgians.

Sweezus, Philip Norgaard and Arthur are at the front of the peloton. They are coming up to Breakneck Hill.

Lead me out now! says Sweezus.

It's too late, says Arthur. You should've gone earlier.

(When to make your move. Tactics).

I'll do it, says Philip Norgaard. If there's one thing I've learned in the TTF it's this: it's never too late to do anything.

He leads Sweezus out.

It's too late, though.

Sweezus does not win King of the Mountain. KOM is Jarrad Drizners, Team UniSA.

......

After five circuits, there is another indication of who might have the Lucky.

The stage winner is Sam Bennett, of Team Deceuninck Quick-Step.

A Belgian team, although Sam is Irish.