15 January 2014
Seven talented young riders will be showcasing their capabilities to cycling’s Pro Tour as they ride with Team UniSA-Australia in the Santos Tour Down Under, starting this Sunday.
Headlining the squad this year is 19-year-old Caleb Ewan from New South Wales, who rode to his second win at the national road championships at Buninyong last weekend, as well as winning the under-23 criterium on Thursday night.
Ewan had a breakout year in 2013 with the Jayco-AIS World Tour Academy team, picking up seven wins throughout Europe and claiming fourth in the Under 23 UCI Road World Championship road race in Florence.
Finishing third in the national road championships and joining Ewan in Team UniSA-Australia is West Australian Bradley Linfield, 19.
They are joined by Campbell Flakemore, 21, from Tasmania; Victorians Jack Haig, 20, Mark O’Brien, 26, Neil Van Der Ploeg, 26; and Anthony Giacoppo, 27, from Western Australia, who will make his second appearance as part of Team UniSA-Australia following on from his ride with the team last year.
Team UniSA-Australia is the official national team in the Santos Tour Down Under (STDU), made up of Australia’s best unsigned cyclists.
Team UniSA-Australia Ambassador Patrick Jonker says the seven riders make up an exciting and aggressive team at this year’s STDU.
“Team UniSA-Australia is once again fielding a fantastic group of young riders who are sure to be very aggressive and competitive in what is shaping up to be one of the toughest Tours we’ve ever had,” Jonker says.
“This year’s race sees more hills, longer stages and little opportunity for recovery, with no real opportunity for sprinters, so it will be tough out there.
“The team will relish the challenge though, especially with Caleb Ewan who might just be the giant slayer to take down the likes of André Greipel and Marcel Kittel.
“Ewan is the underdog but possesses phenomenal natural talent, and will be supported by excellent talent such as Bradley Linfield and Jack Haig, and powerhouse Neil Van Der Ploeg.
“This year’s team is full of up-and-coming Australian all-stars; it should make for a very exciting race.”
University of South Australia Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says the University is proud to support this group of young riders and give them the opportunity to showcase their talent on the international stage.
“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 on to success at the highest level,” Prof Lloyd says.
“Our STDU 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.”
See our Team UniSA-Australia Supporters’ Club website for updates on the team throughout the Tour (January 19-26) www.unisa.edu.au/tdu
