2013 Tour Down Under

The 2013 Tour Down Under was the first race of the 2013 UCI World Tour. It was won by Nasser Abdulrashid of Cycling Circus, while Alitalia-Parmalat Bianchi were the Teams' Champions. 111 riders across 16 teams took part.

Report
Stage 1: It is an excellent start for Performance and Cocktails Racing with Wilson Ricky winning the stage on his debut and Stefan Lomassonn coming home a fine 3rd. Splitting them is home team Lansvale's Roberto di Magenta. As part of the Down Under Tour rules, riders have seconds reduced from their overall time as a reward for strong stage finishes and mid race sprints. Grishin, Clarks, Aqeem and Van de Graaf were the early break-away riders, though caught managed to finish with the main pack.

Lorenzo Romano nearly won the stage, he had a clear lead but 50m from the end he seemed to run out of steam and was denied by centimeters, though he does put his name on the World leaderboard with a bonus point for finishing the stage 4th, along with a point for Mitchell Webb who seemed to have moved from FSR to Fosters easily enough. Battery Energy and Team CIP tried to lead the field to the line to set up their sprinters but the front 5 riders all leached off their efforts whilst it was a tough day for Hitachi, Hitachi lead the peloton for the majority of the race and because of the strain 3 of their riders fell away from the pack and lost 2 minutes on the field. So many riders finished together that all 16 teams are on the same score after day 1.

Day 2 offers a much tougher stage and is most likely we will see a clear group of leaders emerge in the standings.

Stage 2: Cycling Circus's Nasser Abdulrashid won the stage and with it overall lead of the tour today on the first of two hill stages on this tour. Abdulrashid secured his victory by outsmarting the five otherriders who broke forward on the first of 4 laps(Castiglione, Abil, Nordman, Volkov, Kraviz) around Sterling. For awhile it looked like the superb solo effort of Slobodan Tomic would be enough for the victory, the Team Cip rider broke at the half way point of the race on the steep climb for mountain points and rode superbly on his own for a long while, only being caught by the break away six by the beginning of the 3rd circuit.

The top seven then rode together at an intense pace, too intense for Kraviz and Volkov. Tomic and Nordman teamed up and made a dash for the victory only to be reeled in and past first by Abdulrashid working on his own and then Castiglione and Abil as a makeshift team. There were many other hill specialist riders that made breaks but they came too late, they relied too much on Performance and Cocktails to lead the field and it backfired only just catching Kraviz at the flag.

General classification
2013 Tour Down Under general classification {| class="wikitable" style="width:38em;margin-bottom:0;" !Rank !Name !Team !Time
 * style="text-align:center;"| 1 || [[File:Flag of Qatar svg.png]] Nasser Abdulrashid (QAT)  || Cycling Circus || align=right| 19h 39' 56"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 2 || [[File:Flag of San Marino svg.png]] Claudio Castiglione (SMR) || Alitalia-Parmalat Bianchi || align=right| +46"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 3 || [[File:Flag of New Zealand svg.png]] Arnold Abil (NZL) || United Boxtel Cycling Team || align=right| +1' 21"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 4 || [[File:Flag of Slovenia svg.png]] Slobodan Tomic (SLO) || Team CIP || align=right| +1' 44"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 5 || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] Craig West (GBR) || Twinings Earl Grey World Cycling Team || align=right| +2' 16"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 6 || [[File:Flag of Australia svg.png]] Daniel Sims (AUS) || Foster's Good Cycle || align=right| +2' 20"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 7 || [[File:Flag of Japan svg.png]] Shuichi Iketani (JPN) || Samsung-Skoda Firehawk Cycling Team || align=right| +2' 26"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 8 || [[File:Flag of Argentina svg.png]] Roberto Vasquez da Silva (ARG) || Battery Energy Drink Cycling Team || align=right| +2' 26"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 9 || [[File:Flag of Norway svg.png]] Thor Tromsen (NOR) || Minardi Cycling Team || align=right| +2' 26"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 10 || [[File:Flag of Italy svg.png]] Rinaldo Ranozzi (ITA) || Minardi Cycling Team || align=right| +2' 26"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 11 || [[File:Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg.png]] François Ndiekele (CIV) || Equipe Fantomette || align=right| +2' 26"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 12 || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] Jamie Carling (GBR) || Performance and Cocktails Racing Team || align=right| +2' 26"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 13 || [[File:Flag of Russia.svg.png]] Pavel Gafurov (RUS) || Tiger Cycling Team || align=right| +2' 26"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 14 || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] Jerry Fletcher (GBR) || Hitachi ProTour Cycling || align=right| +2' 26"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 40 || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] Thomas Yorke (GBR) || Foster's Good Cycle || align=right| +17' 53"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 41 || [[File:Flag of France svg.png]] Louis Gallard (FRA) || Twinings Earl Grey World Cycling Team || align=right| +17' 53"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 42 || [[File:Flag of Iran.svg.png]] Artan Karimi (IRN) || Alitalia-Parmalat Bianchi || align=right| +17' 53"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 43 || [[File:Flag of Japan svg.png]] Taki Takashita (JPN) || Hitachi ProTour Cycling || align=right| +19' 02"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 44 || [[File:Flag of South Africa svg.png]] Marcus Bennett (RSA) || Minardi Cycling Team || align=right| +19' 02"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 45 || [[File:Flag of Mexico svg.png]] Jose Vasquez (MEX) || Twinings Earl Grey World Cycling Team || align=right| +19' 02"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 46 || [[File:Flag of France svg.png]] Bernard Roullant (FRA) || Equipe Fantomette || align=right| +19' 02"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 47 || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] Craig Beic (GBR) || Twinings Earl Grey World Cycling Team || align=right| +19' 02"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 65 || [[File:Flag of Hungary svg.png]] Zsolt Gaumbartner (HUN) || Cycling Circus || align=right| +22' 25"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 73 || [[File:Flag of Canada.svg.png]] John Vonn (CAN) || National Steroid Association Racing Team || align=right| +22' 25"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 74 || [[File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg.png]] Quinton Voss (NED) || United Boxtel Cycling Team || align=right| +33' 25"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 82 || [[File:Flag of Ireland svg.png]] Ed Kevin (IRL) || Foster's Good Cycle || align=right| +25' 50"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 88 || [[File:Flag of South Africa svg.png]] Peiter Briggs (RSA) || Lansvale Smash Repairs Racing || align=right| +26' 37"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 89 || [[File:Flag of Argentina svg.png]] Jorge Luis Hernandez (ARG) || Hitachi ProTour Cycling || align=right| +27' 35"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 90 || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] Mitchell Webb (GBR) || Foster's Good Cycle || align=right| +28' 38"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 91 || [[File:Flag of Italy svg.png]] Mauricio Sassetti (ITA) || Samsung-Skoda Firehawk Cycling Team || align=right| +28' 43"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 92 || [[File:Flag of Turkey svg.png]] Volkan Necipoglu (TUR) || Team CIP || align=right| +29' 06"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 99 || [[File:Flag of Italy svg.png]] Lorenzo Romano (ITA) || Alitalia-Parmalat Bianchi || align=right| +29' 35"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 100 || [[File:Flag of Russia.svg.png]] Siergiej Grishin (RUS) || Tiger Cycling Team || align=right| +29' 39"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 101 || [[File:Flag of South Africa svg.png]] Jaap van Riebeck (RSA) || Foster's Good Cycle || align=right| +29' 46"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 102 || [[File:Flag of the United States svg.png]] Jason Edison (USA) || Samsung-Skoda Firehawk Cycling Team || align=right| +31' 23"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 103 || [[File:Flag of Israel.svg.png]] Abraham Simon (ISR) || Cycling Circus || align=right| +33' 26"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 104 || [[File:Flag of Germany svg.png]] Stef Flugschreiber (GER) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +33' 26"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 105 || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] Nigel Roberts (GBR) || Samsung-Skoda Firehawk Cycling Team || align=right| +34' 50"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 106 || [[File:Flag of France svg.png]] Alexandre Vache (FRA) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +35' 38"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 107 || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] Simon Hall (GBR) || Battery Energy Drink Cycling Team || align=right| +36' 32"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 108 || [[File:Flag of Thailand svg.png]] Thaksin Metharom (THA) || Cycling Circus || align=right| +36' 35"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 109 || [[File:Flag of Germany svg.png]] Morgan Blosse (GER) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +36' 38"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 110 || [[File:Flag of Switzerland svg.png]] Fabiano Accelerara (SUI) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +36' 39"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 47 || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] Craig Beic (GBR) || Twinings Earl Grey World Cycling Team || align=right| +19' 02"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 65 || [[File:Flag of Hungary svg.png]] Zsolt Gaumbartner (HUN) || Cycling Circus || align=right| +22' 25"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 73 || [[File:Flag of Canada.svg.png]] John Vonn (CAN) || National Steroid Association Racing Team || align=right| +22' 25"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 74 || [[File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg.png]] Quinton Voss (NED) || United Boxtel Cycling Team || align=right| +33' 25"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 82 || [[File:Flag of Ireland svg.png]] Ed Kevin (IRL) || Foster's Good Cycle || align=right| +25' 50"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 88 || [[File:Flag of South Africa svg.png]] Peiter Briggs (RSA) || Lansvale Smash Repairs Racing || align=right| +26' 37"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 89 || [[File:Flag of Argentina svg.png]] Jorge Luis Hernandez (ARG) || Hitachi ProTour Cycling || align=right| +27' 35"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 90 || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] Mitchell Webb (GBR) || Foster's Good Cycle || align=right| +28' 38"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 91 || [[File:Flag of Italy svg.png]] Mauricio Sassetti (ITA) || Samsung-Skoda Firehawk Cycling Team || align=right| +28' 43"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 92 || [[File:Flag of Turkey svg.png]] Volkan Necipoglu (TUR) || Team CIP || align=right| +29' 06"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 99 || [[File:Flag of Italy svg.png]] Lorenzo Romano (ITA) || Alitalia-Parmalat Bianchi || align=right| +29' 35"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 100 || [[File:Flag of Russia.svg.png]] Siergiej Grishin (RUS) || Tiger Cycling Team || align=right| +29' 39"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 101 || [[File:Flag of South Africa svg.png]] Jaap van Riebeck (RSA) || Foster's Good Cycle || align=right| +29' 46"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 102 || [[File:Flag of the United States svg.png]] Jason Edison (USA) || Samsung-Skoda Firehawk Cycling Team || align=right| +31' 23"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 103 || [[File:Flag of Israel.svg.png]] Abraham Simon (ISR) || Cycling Circus || align=right| +33' 26"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 104 || [[File:Flag of Germany svg.png]] Stef Flugschreiber (GER) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +33' 26"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 105 || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] Nigel Roberts (GBR) || Samsung-Skoda Firehawk Cycling Team || align=right| +34' 50"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 106 || [[File:Flag of France svg.png]] Alexandre Vache (FRA) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +35' 38"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 107 || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] Simon Hall (GBR) || Battery Energy Drink Cycling Team || align=right| +36' 32"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 108 || [[File:Flag of Thailand svg.png]] Thaksin Metharom (THA) || Cycling Circus || align=right| +36' 35"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 109 || [[File:Flag of Germany svg.png]] Morgan Blosse (GER) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +36' 38"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 110 || [[File:Flag of Switzerland svg.png]] Fabiano Accelerara (SUI) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +36' 39"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 100 || [[File:Flag of Russia.svg.png]] Siergiej Grishin (RUS) || Tiger Cycling Team || align=right| +29' 39"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 101 || [[File:Flag of South Africa svg.png]] Jaap van Riebeck (RSA) || Foster's Good Cycle || align=right| +29' 46"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 102 || [[File:Flag of the United States svg.png]] Jason Edison (USA) || Samsung-Skoda Firehawk Cycling Team || align=right| +31' 23"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 103 || [[File:Flag of Israel.svg.png]] Abraham Simon (ISR) || Cycling Circus || align=right| +33' 26"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 104 || [[File:Flag of Germany svg.png]] Stef Flugschreiber (GER) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +33' 26"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 105 || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] Nigel Roberts (GBR) || Samsung-Skoda Firehawk Cycling Team || align=right| +34' 50"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 106 || [[File:Flag of France svg.png]] Alexandre Vache (FRA) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +35' 38"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 107 || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] Simon Hall (GBR) || Battery Energy Drink Cycling Team || align=right| +36' 32"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 108 || [[File:Flag of Thailand svg.png]] Thaksin Metharom (THA) || Cycling Circus || align=right| +36' 35"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 109 || [[File:Flag of Germany svg.png]] Morgan Blosse (GER) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +36' 38"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 110 || [[File:Flag of Switzerland svg.png]] Fabiano Accelerara (SUI) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +36' 39"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 106 || [[File:Flag of France svg.png]] Alexandre Vache (FRA) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +35' 38"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 107 || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom svg.png]] Simon Hall (GBR) || Battery Energy Drink Cycling Team || align=right| +36' 32"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 108 || [[File:Flag of Thailand svg.png]] Thaksin Metharom (THA) || Cycling Circus || align=right| +36' 35"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 109 || [[File:Flag of Germany svg.png]] Morgan Blosse (GER) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +36' 38"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 110 || [[File:Flag of Switzerland svg.png]] Fabiano Accelerara (SUI) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +36' 39"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 108 || [[File:Flag of Thailand svg.png]] Thaksin Metharom (THA) || Cycling Circus || align=right| +36' 35"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 109 || [[File:Flag of Germany svg.png]] Morgan Blosse (GER) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +36' 38"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 110 || [[File:Flag of Switzerland svg.png]] Fabiano Accelerara (SUI) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +36' 39"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 110 || [[File:Flag of Switzerland svg.png]] Fabiano Accelerara (SUI) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +36' 39"
 * style="text-align:center;"| 110 || [[File:Flag of Switzerland svg.png]] Fabiano Accelerara (SUI) || Credit Bancarotto || align=right| +36' 39"