 | MCGEE FACTFILE DOB: 24/2/76 Nationality: Australian Best Tour: 2003 - prologue win/yellow jersey wearer |
The 2004 season was the one Bradley McGee finally began to realise his full potential as an all-round competitor. In the Giro d'Italia he took the leader's pink jersey on the prologue and continually defied expectations in the mountains to finish eighth overall.
As a result, much was expected in the Tour de France but he had to pull out with a back injury on stage five.
McGee and his team genuinely believe the Australian can win the Tour, although 2005 may be a tad too early.
He has worn the yellow jersey of the Tour leader before after winning the prologue at the centenary year of the race in Paris.
And he warned he aimed to do the same in 2004, but just missed out when he clocked a time nine seconds behind prologue winner Fabian Cancellara to finish fourth.
The 29-year-old has enjoyed something of a love affair with the Tour, starting back in 2002 when he picked up a sneaky win on stage seven.
With only a few hundred metres remaining he pulled clear of the peloton and just managed to hold off being caught by the top sprinters.
McGee is now at the stage where he needs start to peak as a rider in the general classification.
He took time out from his road-racing schedule to compete in the Athens Olympics last year where he was second behind Britain's Bradley Wiggins in the individual pursuit.
He got his revenge, however, by leading Australia to victory in the team pursuit.
MMIX
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