Alex Dowsett is ready to tear it up at the first race of 2012 and the biggest of his career to date – the Tour Down Under.
Brit set for season opener
Alex Dowsett is ready to tear it up at the first race of the 2012 season and the biggest of his career to date – the Tour Down Under.
Entering his second year as a professional, Dowsett ramped up his training at the team’s Mallorca training camp in December before jetting out to Adelaide early alongside Edvald Boasson Hagen to get to grips with the Aussie summer.
The 23-year-old’s WorldTour debut arrived at the end of 2011 at the inaugural Tour of Beijing, with Dowsett wasting little time in riding his way to third fastest time in the opening time trial, pulling on the young rider’s jersey in the process.
With a stacked field taking to the start line in Adelaide the stakes will be raised once again, yet Dowsett is aiming to make an impact right from the off in what has the potential to be a huge year for the Brit.
He said: “I think for the first race of 2012 you want to start as you mean to go on. I think it’s the first opportunity to really show myself and prove that I’m capable of having a place in the Olympic team.
“For Team Sky it is also the first WorldTour race and the first opportunity to pick up points. So the pressure’s on but I think we’ve got a very good team and there’s no reason why we can’t perform.”
Happy hunting ground
The scene of the team’s debut in 2010, the Tour Down Under has been kind to Team Sky, with two top-three finishes in addition to three stage victories and the 2010 Cancer Council Classic.
The Essex-born rider is well aware that preparation will be key if the team are to replicate the strong start they have shown at the race during the last two seasons.
He explained: “The team have got me out here nice and early to acclimatise to the time zone and the weather after the British winter. We’ve got three Australians in the team - Mat Hayman, Michael Rogers and CJ Sutton - and they will all be firing on all cylinders for us.
“Mick Rogers has stuck his hand up and said he really wants to win it so we will be working for him for the overall GC. We have great sprint options too so I think we can pick up stage wins as well.
“We can really take the race by the scruff of the neck and show what we can do.”
Heating up
One aspect of the race that needs its own special consideration is the Australian weather. Despite some less-than-spectacular conditions in training ahead of the race, Dowsett is under no illusions that heat could play a factor come race week.
He admits: “The time of year that it’s in, especially to us Europeans, will be a shock to the system. Going in two weeks early gives us some chance, but that’s also where the support team for Team Sky come into their own.
“They will make sure we are filled up with the electrolyte Gatorade drinks. We’ve got special jerseys which cool us down and it’s generally about making sure we are as adapted as possible to the conditions.”
You can see how Alex and the team get on at the Tour Down Under with race coverage on Sky Sports. See our race guide for full details.
