Crowds lining Tanunda streets for the Tour Down Under were treated to the sight of a local claiming Stage One victory on Wednesday afternoon. The winner, who was not registered in the race, is known only as ‘Ian’ and has been heralded for his unorthodox approach to the sport.
Ian’s entry into the Tour came about by chance, after a DUI charge rendered him disqualified from driving his usual route to and from work. It’s believed yesterday was Ian’s first time on a bike since he was 16.
While Ian’s e-bike rendered his entry into the race “technically illegal”, Tour organisers did not have the heart to break the news to him, mainly because he had already disappeared by the time formal celebrations had begun.
The stage winner broke away from the pack early when he realised that it was his day to pick the kids up from childcare. It is believed that Ian had planned to ferry his three children home on his back stacked one on top of the other like cheerleaders.
Following the race Ian told Adelaide Mail that he could have gone faster if he had remembered to charge his e-bike last night before being fitted with the celebratory Ochre high-vis vest.
