Tour Down Under Stage 1: Nurioopta > Angaston, 135kms

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Wearer of the No1, Cadel Evans signs-on for another day's work...

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Across the street, Simon Gerrans signs for a BMC fan with a Green Edge plastic guitar..!

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Jens Voigt, at 42 years of age has a dedicated number in the TDU..!

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Niel Van der Ploeg leads Will Clarke in the day's early escape - they have a three-minute lead...

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The peloton speeds past the palm trees at Seppeltsfield, led by Green Edge, Trek and Belkin...

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Luke Durbridge is doing all the work for now, but the gap is coming down anyway...

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Van der Ploeg and Clarke start the second lap with no sign of being caught yet...

escape

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At the second passage in Seppeltsfield, the peloton seems to be pacing itself carefully...

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Bernhard Eisel leads the chase now, but Durbridge is still up there ready to help...

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Some Kiwi fans line up with their Aussie neighbours on a hill in the Barossa Valley...

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The peloton climbs in the Barossa Valley as the pace increases with a gentle heat...

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After four years at Sky, Matthew Hayman looks quite different in the green, blue and white colours of Orica-Green Edge...

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Rick Flens leads Belkin to the front as the winds start to create trouble for the weaker riders...

belkin

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Seppeltsfield for the third and last time sees the peloton in full-on pursuit of the escape...

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Team Sky attack before Mengler Hill, led by Luke Rowe...

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Nathan Haas and Garmin have taken control of the race on Mengler Hill...

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Rohan Dennis and Richie Porte are watching each other hafway up the climb - but no-one attacks...

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Robert Gesink seems to be struggling with the pace, and hills are his speciality..!

belkin

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Andre Greipel leads out the sprint only to see Simon Gerrans come up to him..!

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Simon Gerrans wins stage one of the 2014 Tour Down Under - and takes the race-lead..!

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