Just got back from the first stage of this year's "downunder", and a very interesting and controversial first stage it was.
Beginning with a short lived breakaway, a second attack was more successful, staying away for most of the 25 laps. The Australian Nick Gates did little work, but for a reason. I think he was waiting to see how successful the break would be; either he could go for it, or if it looked like nearly being brought back he could work to make sure it was, allowing his team, Lotto-Domo, to set up his countryman Robbie McEwen for victory.
That is in fact what nearly happened, although McEwen came across the line third, with Baden Cooke second, and Graeme Brown first; all Ozzies. Under protest Brown was relegated to the back of the peleton giving Cook the win. In the video Brown's interference with Cook seemed pretty severe.
8:29:22 AM 
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