Arrival of trial matter of time
TOUR Down Under race director Mike Turtur has confirmed a team time trial (TTT) will be included in the event “sooner rather than later” once he gets UCI approval.
Turtur yesterday said a TTT is an obvious next step in the race’s evolution after it celebrated its 20th edition on the weekend with Daryl Impey becoming the first South African to win the ochre jersey.
A TTT would most likely be held along Anzac Highway from the city to Glenelg and back but needs UCI approval for riders to use normal road bikes, helmets and wheels to save teams from having to bring double the amount of equipment to Adelaide.
“It will happen in the future, when I don’t know, but certainly a team time trial over an individual time trial would be a better fit for our race,” he said.
“But you have to be very careful in the planning, several years ago you saw Tony Martin win the opening (stage) and the race was over.
“So distance, discipline, aspects you’ve got to really think about but it’s a good spectacle if it can be staged correctly with the right infrastructure and information on the board.
“It’s something I’m sure will happen sooner rather than later, not next year, because we’ve got to get over the requirement of time trial bikes for a WorldTour race.
“Teams must use the bikes so there are some discussions that need to take place to get some dispensation to use normal bikes to make it happen, I don’t think the teams would have any drama with it.
“It’s something for the future.”
It comes as Impey heaps praise on the event saying other races around the world should use the TDU as a model to follow.
Impey’s victory was the fourth time in six years Australian team Mitchelton-Scott has taken the ochre jersey in Adelaide.
The 33-year-old said he would definitely return to defend his title next year and so would another strong field.
“I’ll definitely come back, I want to wear number one, I don’t get that too many times,” Impey said.
“It’s one of the most special races in the season, it’s really well organised and a lot of guys are happy to come here. We get treated like royalty and it would be nice if a few races actually took some notes from this race.”