‘Tour Begins’ – Day 1, Adelaide to Victor Harbour
Anticipation was high among the group as we all assembled in Adelaide’s Price Henry Gardens for the start of the 2013 Signature Tour on Friday.
I was thrilled to see the support from the Officeworks South Australia crew, with team members from several stores and the Business team coming down to cheer the Officeworks riders at the start line.
Following a couple of live crosses to the Channel 7 Sunrise team, we were on our way out of Adelaide with a police escort to see us off.
We were joined by Olympic cycling gold medallist and local Adelaide girl Anna Meares as well as former Olympic swimmer Matt Welsh who rode with us to Willunga Hill.
Tour officials told us that Willunga Hill, a historic little town about 60kms out of Adelaide, would be a time trial stage for the overall ‘King of the Mountain’ award.
The climb was solid without being too tough and I enjoyed pushing up the hill at a solid pace.
There was plenty of good natured banter amongst the riders as everyone worked hard to get up the hill, which forms part of the Tour Down Under professional cycling event.
I was happy to finish in a good time and be in the first 6 or 7 riders to complete the ride.
Everyone had their individual times recorded with final overall placings for the King of the Mountain to be announced at the end of the tour.
From there we snaked our way down to Victor Harbour with near on perfect riding conditions greeting us all the way.
With the riding finished for the day it was time to catch up with some fellow Tour members at the Community Dinner which is held every night.
I was very humbled to be presented with the green ‘awareness’ jersey at the event. The jersey was in honour of Conor, a three-year-old boy, who sadly died after a long battle with cancer.
His parents rode part of the tour last year in his memory and told the tour that green was his favourite colour, hence the green jersey.
The award was presented to me, but goes out to the entire Officeworks team for helping drive the awareness message about supporting cancer research.
TDC officials and fellow riders were blown away by the support and presence shown by the Officeworks group throughout the first day.
It was really pleasing to see all the work recognised and I accepted the award on the team’s behalf and wore the Green jersey with great pride the following day, with Conor’s memory firmly in my thoughts throughout the ride.
Many thanks,
Martin
Proudly wearing the green Jersey following Day One. The jersey was in honour of three-year-old boy Conor.
Sharing a smile with some Team Officeworks riders.
Officeworks SA team members join Team Officeworks at the Tour de Cure start line
The first few metres in a 1500km journey.
Olympic cycling gold medallist and local Adelaide girl Anna Meares with the Officeworks team at the start line.
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