A sea of ochre floods the Mutual Community Challenge Tour

Tales from the peloton, January 26, 2008

A record number of amateur cyclists tested their stamina and fitness this week on the same route as the professionals rode in Stage 4 Four of the Tour Down Under as 3,403 cyclists registered for the 2008 Mutual Community Challenge Tour; hundreds more than the previous record of 2,525.

"I am delighted that we have marked our first ever UCI ProTour race, and the Tour's 10th birthday, with record participation from recreational cyclists," Premier Rann says. "It helps to cement our State's reputation as the cycling capital of Australia."

Premier Rann predicted "a sea of lycra as cyclists head off from Mannum and Woodside on one of two rides – 134km or 73.5km." And he was right, as you can see from the gallery of images collected by Cyclingnews' Rachel Burke.

Among the throngs of riders who all ended their long day in Strathalbyn were a couple of local MPs taking part – Leon Bignell, the Member for Mawson, and Rory McEwen, the Member for Mount Gambier.

Tour Down Under: Mutual Community Challenge Tour, January 26, 2008

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