Tour Down Under 2009 – Images by Jamie McDonald

One of the last jobs I completed in Australia before I moved overseas was the Tour Down Under cycling race in Adelaide. It is a relatively young race and has slowly been growing in stature, but when news broke in 2008 that Lance Armstrong was going to launch his comeback at the race it exploded.

I had covered the Tour Down Under since 2003 and it had always been an incredibly well run race, but 2009 was to create all new drama for the media department. I had to contend with the fact that I would no longer get a motorbike every stage supplied for me, and when I did get a motorbike I was to pool my pictures with other agencies.

The race is starting again with a criterium in Adelaide on Sunday and I’ll be tuning into my TV in London to see what happens. My tip is 2008 champ German Andre Greipel for the overall honours, with RadioShack working hard for Lance to win a stage.

I’ve released a gallery of images from the 2009 race for you to have a look at.

Cheers