Robbie McEwen intends to be the first among a group of talented Australian riders hoping to dominate their national tour, the Tour Down Under, which starts Tuesday in Adelaide.

But the Aussies may face some serious competition from the likes of Estonian Jaan Kirsipuu (Ag2R) and Saeco’s Fabio Sacchi, who are spoiling to beat the hosts' advantage.

McEwen, fresh from winning his fifth Bay Classic criterium series in seven years, feels the time has come to take the six-day, 735-kilometre race that begins and ends in the South Australian capital Adelaide.

McEwen won four of the six stages of last year's race, launching a season in Europe which culminated in taking the Tour de France sprinter's green jersey and a silver medal at the world road championships.

"I managed four of the six stage wins in the Down Under (in 2002) and I don't see why I wouldn't be a chance for the overall," said McEwen, who rides for Belgian team Lotto-Domo.

But he faces tough competition from the other Australians who turned heads in Europe in 2002, including Adelaide hometown favorite Stuart O'Grady.

Cadel Evans, who last year became the first Australian to wear the leader's pink jersey at the Giro d'Italia, will also be there with Telekom after signing with the powerful German outfit following the collapse of his former Italian team, Mapei.

He joins Germans Stefan Wesemann and Kai Hundertmarck, who are returning for a fifth tilt at the Tour.

Wesemann won a stage and finished third overall in 2000 while Hundertmarck placed second overall behind O'Grady in 2001.

Despite a heavy fall during last week's Bay Classic series which left him with an injured thigh and black eyes, Baden Cooke has also been declared fit to ride.

He joins compatriot Brad McGee, who also enjoyed an outstanding 2002, and French veteran Jacky Durand, who is contesting his first Tour Down Under, in a strong FDJeux.com team.

Defending champion Michael Rogers has had a similar lead-up to last year, again finishing second in Australia's national time trial championship.

But the Quickstep-Davitamon rider will want an easier path if he is to win again after he was forced to borrow a bike from a roadside spectator to finish a stage last year.

While the Tour Down Under favors Australian riders because it falls at the peak of the domestic season, the race attracts top European teams and big-name riders keen to start their year on a solid footing.

Kirsipuu and Sacchi both flew to Adelaide ahead of their teammates to prepare for the race in a clear demonstration of their desire to win the race.

Sacchi finished third overall in 2001, said: "I want to give myself every chance to win overall."

Kirsipuu is joined in the French AG2R team by 2002’s Down Under runner up Alexandre Botcharov of Russia.Copyright AFP2003