Former Raleigh Rider Mark O’Brien Selected for Tour Down Under

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Cycling Australia has selected a seven man UniSA-Australia team hungry for success at the 2014 Santos Tour Down Under including former Raleigh rider Mark O’Brien

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Minister for Tourism Leon Bignell says he is looking forward to seeing the UniSA-Australia team in action. “The Uni-SA Australia team offers a great opportunity for young Australian cyclists to complete against some of the world’s best cyclists in their own country,” said the Minister for Tourism.

Headlining the team is young gun Caleb Ewan, who won his second U23 national criterium crown last week. Ewan had a breakthrough year in 2013 with the Jayco-AIS World Tour Academy team, picking up seven wins in Europe and placing fourth in the under 23 road race at the UCI World Championship in Florence.

Joining Caleb will be fellow Jayco-AIS WTA alumni Campbell Flakemore and Bradley Linfield. Completing the roster are Avanti Pro Cycling Team riders Jack Haig, Mark O’Brien, Anthony Giacoppo and Neil Van Der Ploeg.

Cycling Australia, National Performance Director, Kevin Tabotta, says this is a fantastic opportunity for seven emerging young Australian riders to showcase their talents on the WorldTour stage. “We’ve selected a mix of riders to target general classification (GC) and stage results and expect each of them to acquit themselves well against the world class field.

“We’ll certainly be looking for Caleb Ewan to take the strong form he showed at the MARS National Road Championships into the TDU and beyond this season,” said Tabotta.

University of South Australia Vice Chancellor, Professor David Lloyd says the University is proud to support this group of young riders. “We know that getting a ride with Team UniSA-Australia is a dream come true for many young riders and in the past 13 years many of the team’s riders have gone onto success at the highest level,” said Professor Lloyd.

“Our TDU sponsorship is a great fit for UniSA – it brings the best of international talent to our community while showcasing our local environment to the world. “At the same time the Tour helps promote healthy lifestyles and, as the biggest health educator in the State, we are proud to support this event.

The UniSA-Australia team competing at the 2014 Santos Tour Down Under will be led by manager Dave Saunders and includes:
Caleb Ewan (NSW) – Jayco AIS WorldTour Academy
Jack Haig (VIC) – Avanti Pro Cycling Team
Mark O’Brien (VIC) Avanti Pro Cycling Team
Anthony Giacoppo (WA) – Avanti Pro Cycling Team
Neil Van Der Ploeg (VIC) Avanti Pro Cycling Team
Campbell Flakemore (TAS) – Avanti Pro Cycling Team/ Jayco AIS WorldTour Academy
Bradley Linefield (WA) – Jayco AIS WorldTour Academy.
2014 Santos Tour Down Under

The Santos Tour Down Under is Australia’s premier international cycling race. It will be staged in and around Adelaide, South Australia from 19 to 26 January 2014. On Sunday 19 January the world’s cycling elite will contest an exciting 50km circuit race, the People’s Choice Classic, as the curtain raiser for the six-stage Santos Tour Down Under being raced over a total distance of 875km.

Sunday 19 January – People’s Choice Classic – Adelaide (50km)
Monday 20 January – Rest day
Tuesday 21 January – San Remo Pasta Stage 1 – Nuriootpa to Angaston (135km)
Wednesday 22 January – BikeExchange.com.au Stage 2 – Prospect to Stirling (150km)
Thursday 23 January – Thomas Foods Stage 3 – Norwood to Campbelltown (145km)
Friday 24 January – Bupa Stage 4 – Unley to Victor Harbor (148.5km)
Saturday 25 January – Pure Blonde Stage 5 – McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill (151.5km)
Sunday 26 January – Be Safe Be Seen, MAC Stage 6 – Adelaide (95km)

 

 

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