Tour Down Under (2013) Photos Jan 20 - 27

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BMC in the warm evening sun waiting for their season to start	World Champion Philippe Gilbert says "“It is nice to be back in competition, even if it is not official"	The peloton getting ready for the 7 PM rollout to start the first ProTour race of the season
A good crowd on hand despite the ongoing Lance Armstrong saga	Jens Voigt in an early break	28 laps on the flat circuit in downtown Adelaide
Like most events, Andy Schleck is getting more attention than he really deserves	André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol), who won the classic last year is the man to watch again this year	After a great leadout, André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) led out the sprint while towing Matt Goss (Orica-GreenEdge)
Like last year (photos), Greg Henderson (3rd) fired off the first victory salute before Lotto-Belisol teammate André Greipel could do his own.	A familiar sight at the Tour Down Under, André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol), off to another good start at this year's race	This isn't the leader's jersey; the race officially starts on Tuesday

Stage 1:  Prospect → Lobethal, 135 km (lumpy)  Full Results and Report

Eros Capecchi (Movistar) with his new 1950s rock n roll hairdo signing in before the first stage in Prospect	Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano)	These fans don't think Jens Voigt is tainted by doping scandals that have otherwise tainted his generation.
Saxo Bank's Timothy Duggan in the stars n strips of the U.S. national champion's jersey	The pasty white world champ, Belgian Philippe Gilbert is looking to get a tan and possibly challenge Simon Gerrans for the overall	Pure sprinter Andrea Guardini (Astana) chatting up his chances to win a stage at his first Tour Down Under
The world champ taking shade before the start	The rollout from Prospect for the 135 km stage	Jerome Pineau getting a break started
Lotto-Belisol chasing	Picturesque scenery for Unisa Australia's Jordon Kerby on his 100k solo break	Fans killing time on Checker Hill
Unisa Australia's Jordon Kerby first to the top of Checker Hill	From another angle	The peloton on Checker Hill
1 km to go	André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) easily won the first stage by several bike lengths	Turning around to thank his teammates; Arnaud Demare (Fra/FDJ) on the left was second and Mark Renshaw was third
André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) post race after tying Robbie McEwen for the most (12) wins at the Tour Down Under	Unisa Australia's Jordon Kerby claimed several jerseys for his solo break including the most competitive and kom jerseys	Arnaud Demare (Fra/FDJ) dons the colorful best young rider's jersey
Your stage 1 winner, André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol)	André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) dons the first ochre jersey	André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) is pumped up for another strong Tour Down Under

Stage 2:  Mt Barker → Rostrevor, 117 km  Full Results and Report

Another beautiful day in South Australia near the start of Stage 2 in Mt Barker	Lotto-Belisol at the front of the peloton for race leader André Greipel and the rest of the peloton	The pace couldn't have been very fast at this point
BMC's Martin Kohler leading the chase for team leader Philippe Gilbert, one of the race favorites for the overall this week	BMC's Martin Kohler	The pace now starting to get uncomfortable
With a break up the road, the chase crashed on the descent of the Corkscrew climb	The world champ and pre-race favorite Philippe Gilbert was involved in the crash...	... He broke his derailleur and had to be pushed to the line by a teammate
Ag2r's Julian Kern looking dirty, dazed and confused...	... but despite appearances, he finished the stage	The caravan crossing the line
The crowd waiting at the finish in Rostrevor after 117 km of racing	After first attacking on the Corkscrew Climb, Geraint Thomas (Sky) attacked again with 500m to go	He thought he went too soon but Geraint Thomas (Sky) wins Stage 2
One second back: 2nd Javier Moreno (Spa/Movistar) and 3rd Ben Hermans (Bel/Radioshack Leopard)	Moreno's Movistar teammate Jose Rojas won the bunch sprint for 15th + 21s	Race leader, at the start of the day, André Greipel (LTB) crossed 93rd + 6:14
Lots of banged up riders at the end of the stage but only one rider from FDJ abandoned the stage. This is Movistar's Giovanni Visconti.	Portugal's Tiago Machado (RadioShack), who was 3rd overall last year, is now 10th + 14s while teammate Ben Hermans is 3rd + 7s.	Your stage 2 winner, Geraint Thomas (Sky)
Geraint Thomas (Sky) now leads the race by 5s over Javier Moreno (Spa/Movistar)		With many of the pre-favorites now out of contention including Simon Gerrans, Team Sky and Geraint Thomas will look to hold on over the remaining four stages.

Stage 3:   Unley → Stirling, 139 km  Full Results and Report

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Stage 4:   Modbury → Tanunda, 127 km  Full Results and Report

Spectators pre-stage 4 in Tanunda		Thomas de Gendt signing in
Just about everyone has signed in	Saxo - Tinkoff's Chris Sorensen doing some last minute stage 4 prep with Fabrizio Guidi	World Champion Philippe Gilbert has been getting plenty of attention this week
Winning the Worlds has already left an indelible mark on Philippe Gilbert	The rollout from Tanunda	The parade of team cars following the peloton
The main break of the day climbing Humbug Scrub	With his GC aspirations gone, Philippe Gilbert says he rolled off for a training ride and took Damien Howson (Unisa Australia) with him	The peloton obviously wasn't chasing too hard at this point
GER 1st GREIPEL, André (LOTTO BELISOL) 3:02:52 ITA 2nd FERRARI, Roberto (LAMPRE-MERIDA) AUS 3rd CANTWELL, Jonathan (TEAM SAXO-TINKOFF)	Career win #13 at the Tour Down Under for André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) breaking Robbie McEwen's record	Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano) was 6th
The race leader avoided the crash in the final 1 km unlike riders 2 through 4 on GC	The crowd in Modbury awaiting the Jersey presentations	Is André Greipel's domination of this race's sprints the last few years a good thing?
Geraint Thomas (Sky) maintained his lead heading into the hilltop finish on Stage 5	Geraint Thomas (Sky) in the media spotlight

Stage 5:  McLaren Vale → Old Willunga Hill, 152 km  Full Results and Report

Fans on Old Willunga Hill	The break on the first of two passes over Old Willunga Hill	Like last year's penultimate stage, Old Willunga Hill whittled the stage down to just two riders, but this year Simon Gerrans came out on top. New race leader, Tom Jelte Slagter (Blanco) looked back to see a big gap to third.
	Simon Gerrans talking about the thrill to win on Aussie Day, but disappointed to miss out on the GC after falling out of contention on Stage 2 due to his asthma	BMC's world and swiss champs post-stage
Your stage 5 winner, Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge)	23 year-old Tom Jelte Slagter (Blanco) has never stood on the podium at a professional stage race until today ...	and now with a healthy 13 second overall lead, the Dutchman with no sponsor will win the 2013 Tour Down Under tomorrow (barring accident). MORE PHOTOS TO COME...