I was his host for nine Phoenix Opens and would fly him over in a private jet. I always tried to tell him a joke he hadn't heard, which was pretty hard with Bob Hope.

We rode pretty hard for about 30 or 40 kilometers, but eventually it got a bit disorganized. There were a couple of teams chasing, because (Michael) Barry was in the break and I think he was some kind of threat on the G.C. The sprint just came up on us and everybody was doing their turns at the front. I kind of timed it to come through on my turn. I wasn't sure what was going to happen, because yesterday there was a thousand dollars on the sprint. I didn't think there was that much money on the line, but I wasn't going to miss a shot.

It will be a lot funnier. It will have a lot more raw material, as I call it.

We started to execute more and our team did not have as many turnovers. We just played better as a team in the fourth quarter. I was a little nervous at first, a little nervous. They played us real tough, but we came through.

The sponsors were even more keen because they wanted to have more of a brand awareness down here.

The Herald Sun Tour is one of the premier cycling events in Australia, so the boys and I are keen to make a good showing in our own country, ... The race actually suits us well, there will be a few bunch kicks and a tough day in the hills, but it should come down to the uphill time trial to decide the overall winner. I hope that either I or Danny Pate has the legs on that day to bring home the win for Jelly Belly.