Aussie Marcel Gono grabbed 2nd

The Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under burst into glorious life across South Australia today, with Linda McCartney-Jacob's Creek riders fighting over every inch of the road. Marcel Gono was to miss out on the first McCartney victory of 2001 by the width of a tyre, as a photo finish gave the win to local boy Luke Roberts.

The racing today was as thrilling as yesterday's was anodyne, with attacks shooting down the road from all angles. Neil Stephens was very pleased to see his Linda McCartney-Jacob's Creek boys deep in the action from the very first, when the punchy Miguel Perdiguero found a place in the dangerous break that went away on the approach to the slopes of Old Willunga Hill. With his well-placed teammate Chris Jenner also in the move, Stuart O'Grady was sitting pretty in the yellow jersey, knowing that his rivals would have to force the pace in his main bunch.

However, the frenetic pace meant that there was a regrouping after the summit, and another group went clear. This time, it was David McKenzie playing the role of animator, and his outstanding efforts would later bring Linda McCartney-Jacob's Creek their first award of the season when he was presented with the black jersey of "Most Aggressive Rider".

"When we came through Strathalbyn the first time with about 40kms left, they gave us a time gap of nearly three minutes," explained Macca. "I was feeling really good for the sprint, so I started tapping through a bit gently to save myself. I couldn't believe it: the next thing I heard we had twenty seconds!"

It was an all-out chase by Lotto that had closed the race back down, but after McKenzie's group were caught, Perdiguero launched another move, and then with just a few more minutes to the line, Marcel Gono flew into a devastating counter-attack.

"A guy tried to jump just before the last corner, so I went under him on the turn and went all-out for the line," said Marcel. "Maybe it was a bit far, say 300 metres, and Luke Roberts came round me in the last two or three feet." Disappointed of course, but a good day for the team nevertheless. Tayeb Braikia and Ciaran Power ensured that the McCartney-Jacob's Creek ensemble equalled yesterday's eye-catching result by giving the team three men in the top ten; Tayeb easily winning the sprint for 6th, Ciaran close by in 10th.

The day's big loser was Adelaide idol Stuart O'Grady. The Credit Agricole star lost his grip on the race by letting Dane Nicolai Bo Larsen get away with Marcel's group, and no amount of chasing could close the gap. Third place behind Gono was enough to wrench the jersey from O'Grady's clutches by a slender 13 seconds. Shattering for O'Grady and his legions of fans, but the Danish larceny is enough to set up a dramatic climax to the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under this weekend.

Report by John Deering