O'Grady wins Sun Tour
The CSC philosophy was simple in the last stage - ride the bunch off your wheel in the first half of the 60 kilometere last stage, then cruise into the finish with your leader safely in the front five. The plan worked to a tee. Half the field was shelled after a vicious pace in the first half of the 60 kilometre street course. Riders were left scrambling for wheels as the CSC team set about the task of defending their leader. Their best form of defence was offence which proved to work to perfection.
The CSC team rode the full week of the Sun Tour without two of their riders who did not make the trip. But the smallest team in the race had the biggest week with young gun Matt Goss picking up the sprinter's jersey and two stages as he signaled his arrival as a top echelon rider. O'Grady won a stage, the time trial, one he was not expected to win. A fitting farewell for Brad McGee to say goodbye to life as a professional bike racer. McGee, who has won all the jerseys in the three Grand Tours, World Titles and Olympic Gold medals in a glittering career said good by to the pro bunch as he now becomes a CSC director. A truly gifted rider, McGee will no doubt make a very solid team leader.
Overall the Sun Tour delivered a great race and an unexpected win, O'Grady proving he is a class act any time of year. The Sun Tour has long been the launching pad for many young professionals and this week it was Matt Goss who took centre stage. Already contracted to Team CSC, he benefited from guidance from his more experienced teammates during the week and looks a certain star of the future.
- Stuey O'Grady CSC 14.20.58.21
- Lars Bak CSC @ 16 seconds
- Ben Day TUP @ 23 seconds
- Chris Froome BAR @ 52 seconds
- Ritchie Porte PRA @ 57 seconds
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