Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Jay Vine is back in familiar territory, as a completely different cyclist.
The Australian star says his physical condition is “similar” to two years ago, when he won Adelaide’s Tour Down Under.
After missing last year’s race, the UAE Team Emirates rider is again among the race favourites as the Santos Tour celebrates its 25th anniversary.
But everything changed for the 29-year-old when he suffered a horrific race crash last April at the Spain’s Tour of the Basque Country.
Vine was left with spinal injuries that initially had him fearing he would never walk again.
Immediately after the crash, doctors told his wife he might not live.
But just six months later, Vine won the king of the mountains category at the Vuelta a Espana, to cap his remarkable comeback.
Vine also showed he has started the year with solid form by finishing runner-up to Luke Plapp in the time trial at the Australian road championships.
On Saturday night, he was in a three-rider breakaway that animated the Down Under classic street race.
Nevertheless, the crash and its aftermath have transformed his perspective.
“I’m less than 12 months from a life-changing crash, so I’m just taking every race in my stride,” he said at Monday’s pre-race media conference.
“This is January – this will be six days of a 70-day race day calendar, so not to blow everything in the first six days.
“I’m probably in a similar position (to this time two years ago) – I didn’t do an amazing last two months.”
The highlight of the Perth nationals was Luke Plapp ensuring his Jayco AlUla teammate Luke Durbridge won the road race – a popular victory.
Durbridge will now ride for Plapp at the Santos Tour.
A year ago, Plapp boldly declared they wanted all six stage wins and the overall title, only to crash out of the race.
Instead, British rider Stevie Williams and his Israel Premier Tech teammates rode brilliantly and he claimed the title.
“I will be forever grateful for what he did for me at the road nationals, but it doesn’t mean we can deliver six stage wins,” Durbridge said of Plapp.
“You’ve got to admire the guy’s confidence – it’s enormous.
“He’s in great shape and we all love him in the team. You can’t beat that guy’s energy … Mr January.”
For his part, Williams is confident he and his well-drilled team can be prominent again at the Adelaide race.
“We have a great team and the strength and depth is clear. The parcours is suited quite well to me and I do enjoy these races, where they’re decided on (time) bonuses,” Williams said
“They’re tricky, technical and it’s always a bit of a dogfight. I’m looking forward to that.”
After winning Saturday night’s street race, Australian Sam Welsford (Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe) will be the rider to watch for the Tour’s sprint finishes.
He will be the favourite for Tuesday’s opening stage, a 150.7km race from suburban Prospect to Gumeracha in the Adelaide Hills.
While Willunga on Saturday is again the Tour’s Queen stage, Thursday’s third stage to Uraidla is expected to be pivotal for the overall standings.
The weather is always a crucial factor at the Tour and the 30C-plus conditions that helped define the women’s Tour over the weekend are expected to taper off for the men’s race.
That will be good news for the overseas riders and perhaps take away some of the advantage for the locals.
