Post Tour Down Under recovery

What a big week! My recovery included some relaxation on the lounge and a sleep in... probably more than the actual pro riders were able to take!

For 2009, we had the pleasure of looking over more than 175 people over the course of the week. This included 110 people on Friday, the day of the Mutual Community Challenge Tour in Angaston. We enjoyed a private function for lunch at the Feist & Feist Building on Angaston's main street, only 400m from the finish line. This was actually the first function held in this building, as it has been newly renovated, and it was great! An ice bath out the back and a physio upstairs meant that all could really relax and get the legs in working order again after 155 km ride (for some).

Highlights of my week were:

Lance Armstrong
Of course. Who could disagree that Lance's comeback race meant big news for Adelaide and the Tour Down Under. It really amped the general public's interest in the race, and looking out for that black helmet with yellow highlights during the race made it that much more fun. Listening to Lance the person speak candidly at the Legends' Night Dinner was amazing. Whilst anything to do with Lance Armstrong could be passed off as being cliche, in reality he really doesn't disappoint. The man's got guts, he's got brains and he's a real human being.

Allan Davis
He's been here in Adelaide for every single edition of the Tour Down Under, amidst all sorts of dramas in terms of teams and controversy and has still managed to stay strong and this year, finally pull off the overall win. He won three stages (Stage 2, Stage 4 & Stage 5) and took the overall ahead of a class field including two-time winner Stuart O'Grady in second place, 25 seconds back, and former winner Martin Elmiger in 4th place.

Club Tour
This is a really great extra. Club Tour pass means you get exclusive access to grandstands for the Down Under Classic and the final stage, as well as a Club Tour dinner which was held in the Adelaide City Council Tour Village, and included great interviews with Race Director Mike Turtur, young star Jack Bobridge, and the voices of cycling Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin. Then hanging out in the Hilton afterwards meant getting up close to riders and past cycling stars!

A tiring week, and not the best time to get sick with the flu (yuk!) but a fantastic week.

We can't wait until next year!