This was published 12 years ago
2014 Tour Down Under - Stage 1
The first stage of the 2014 Santo Tour Down Under got underway in the picturesque Barossa Valley (Santos Tour Down Under / Regallo Images)
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Almost 140 of the world's top cyclists took to the streets to begin their quest to become the 16th Tour champion. (Santos Tour Down Under / Regallo Images)
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Beginning in the town of Nuriootpa, the riders weaved their way through vineyards and small towns on their way to the finish line in Angaston. (Santos Tour Down Under / Regallo Images)
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Australians Will Clarke (Drapac) and Neil Van Der Ploeg (UniSA) made an early break. (Santos Tour Down Under / Regallo Images)
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The peloton makes its way through the Barossa countryside. (Santos Tour Down Under / Regallo Images)
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Australian Luke Durbridge (Orica-GreenEDGE )on the front of the peloton. (Santos Tour Down Under / Regallo Images)
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The riders make their way up Menglers Hill where, after the tough climb, the pack was predictably split. (Santos Tour Down Under / Regallo)
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But in the end it was Gerrans who crossed the line in front, outsprinting Andre Greipel in a thrilling finish. (Santos Tour Down Under / Regallo)
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The Europcar Most Competitive rider of the day was awarded to Drapac’s Will Clarke. (Santos Tour Down Under / Regallo)
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Gerrans celebrates the tough first stage win. (Santos Tour Down Under / Regallo)
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