The DownUnder Express? August 14, 2007
Posted by Steve in : Weblog , trackback
With national pride flowing after a second place finish by Cadel Evans at the Tour de France, the prospect of an Australian team competing in the 2009 Tour de France has moved closer to reality. Aussie newpapers are reporting that top Australian riders including Robbie McEwen, Cadel Evans, Stuart O’Grady and Michael Rogers could join forces in the sport’s most prestigious race for a team financed by a company owned by internet entrepreneur Tony Smith.
A company called Pro Cycling Australia has been set up to oversee the project and Smith has pledged AU$20 million (US$16.6m) over four years to help establish the team.”It’s a major piece of the jigsaw,” chief executive Paul Varcoe told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph. “The pieces are falling into place. We always believed it would happen and this is a significan step in proving it will.” The project still needs an additional sponsor and the backing of the Federal Government, and Smith hopes Evans’s second-place finish in this year’s Tour will help. “Cadel Evans’ effort in the recent Tour de France has been an inspiration to us all and put this great sport on the radar in Australia,” Smith said.
Maybe this is what we need for a year or two….national teams supported by national sponsors….what do you think?
Comments»
Cool. I’m an Aussie living in Paris and I saw the finish of the Tour this year. Incredible to think an Aussie can challenge the mountain-riding specialists - we’re sprinters mostly.