(not) on my radar (Britney Spears)
NRS- Honda Hybrid Women’s Tour (VIC 15th-17th October 2009)
Plan B were not fielding a team for this event, so I was riding for the Cycle City/Felt Team with Chloe McIntosh (VIC), Jessie Maclean (ACT), Sam Wood (WA), Nikolina Orlic (QLD) and Chloe Hegert (VIC).
Stage 1: Anglesea-Anglesea 55km Road Race Course Map (thanks to Cycling Profiles)
Jessie and Davina- Stage 1 finish
We had decided to stay overnight in Anglesea due to an reasonably early start and after an awesome dinner at “Pete’s Place” and a cabin sleep with the heater on max, we were on the start line. It was pretty cold, but not raining nor as windy as previous days so I was happy enough. The road race, apart from the first (and only) climb about 2.5kms from the start was short and flat with a downhill finish. As expected, the bunch split on the climb, but it was not really long enough so the main group rolled back onto our lead group after a period of time. Simone Grounds (Bundaburg Sugar) took out the QOM with Jo Hogan (Prime Estate) counterattacking. We made our way out to Paraparap to do two laps of a little circuit inc the intermediate sprints. I found myself in reasonable position for Sprint 1 and decided (last minute) to have a go. I went a little earlier than normal, and hung on in the headwind for 4th. Kirsty Braun (MB Cycles) took the points over Rochelle Gilmore (HP Pinarello). I decided not to contest the second sprint, and counterattacked after, forgetting just how strong the headwind was, it was fairly shortlived as a result. From there (and prior to the sprints), there were some attacks and reasonable moves, but with the teams controlling the race well for the sprinters and the course not being challenging enough for anyone to get away, a sprint finish it was going to be. It started to rain for the final few kms, it was great to have Jessie (Cycle City/Felt) around and I decided to have a go, with about 3kms remaining just after turning out onto main highway, but only succeeded to lead everyone out on the return descent back into Anglesea. Rochelle and Kirsty came past me just prior to the roundabout with 200m left to go, Kirsty lost some traction in her wheel as she cornered in front of me, she did well to keep upright. I was actually really stoked to hold onto third place in the sprint finish, after the leadout, I was expecting everyone to come stomping past.
Stage 1 Sprint Finish
Results: (full results)
1 GILMORE, Rochelle HP Pinarello
2 BROUN, Kirsty MB Cycles
3 SUMMERS, Davina Cycle City/Felt
4 HALLIDAY, Amber MB Cycles
5 WHITBURN, Nicole Prime Estate Buyers Agent
Stage 2 startline
Stage 2: Geelong 10km Time Trial
After another meal at “Pete’s Place” we woke and drove up to Geelong for the start of the Time Trials. I had been looking forward to this race all week, testing out a few things I had been trying in training. All signs were saying it was going to go well. I was third last to start, the weather had started to clear and I was off and racing. From the start, things just didn’t seem right and in the first few kms, I started to feel like I was struggling. I had that “you have a flat tyre” feeling, but dismissed it, thinking I was just not going as well as I would have hoped. I came through the 5km point, back past the start/finish and did a spectacular (Denis Menchov- from the Team Time Trial, you know the one) slide-out as I turned left. I got up quickly, getting back on my bike, I could feel the lack of air in my rear wheel, but without a spares van/bike anywhere in sight, I just got back on and kept riding. I could not cross the finish line quick enough, to get off my bike as the tyre was about down to the rim by this stage. Not even sure where I finished, or how far down it was in time. A race I’d rather forget, but that is just the way it is sometimes.
Scody Twilight Crit Podium
Scody Twilight Criterium
(not part of the Honda Hybrid Tour, just extra racing in Melbourne)
45mins plus 3 laps- 1730 Alexandria Gardens, Friday night.
As a part of the Around the Bay in a Day weekend, the Twilight Crits were organised. The prize money was pretty good for the event, and I like to support women’s racing where ever possible. I needed to get back in the saddle (so to speak) after my less than impressive effort earlier in the day, so took the opportunity to race again. A quick warm-up ride to the event, some assistance with my bike from the Specialized Team and Cycling VIC staff pinning on my numbers and we were away. The field was not very big and two teams were clearly dominant- Carnegie Caulfield CC and Prime Estate. Chloe McIntosh (Cycle City/Felt) helped cover the moves with me, but after numerous attacks, Jenny MacPherson (CCCC) and Nicole Whitburn (Prime Estate) were up the road. Rebecca Domange (CCCC) and Chloe attempted to bridge, but to no avail. Jenny and Nicole took first and second sprint points and overall. The rest of us battled it out for third, with Jo Hogan (Prime Estate) making some strong moves. It was a nice little hit out before the Crit tomorrow.
Overall Placings
1st Jenny MacPherson (CCCC)
2nd Nicole Whitburn (Prime Estate)
3rd Davina Summers (Plan B)
4th Rebecca Domange (CCCC)
5th Kendelle Hodges (CCCC)
Sprint Classification
1st Jenny MacPherson (CCCC)
2nd Nicole Whitburn (Prime Estate)
3rd Davina Summers (Plan B)
Stage 3- Honda Hybrid Women’s Tour; 2.1km Circuit Race
45mins plus 3 laps; Lygon St, Melbourne.
The weather had improved and there was a great turnout to watch the event. The course was a (lower case) t shape and with 70 odd girls still left in the bike race, the first few laps were going to be interesting. Jessie (Cycle City/Felt) had a solution to this and started the tempo high right from the beginning. QAS went on the attack and counterattack with Zoe Appel staying away for a few laps. I positioned well, went with the moves and instigated a couple towards the end, which were short lived. HP Pinarello and MB Cycles had pretty much everything covered and it was fairly obvious to all concerned that it was going to come down to another bunch sprint. In the last few laps, NTID looked to be setting something up for their GC rider, Carly Light. But the sprinters day it was, with HP Pinarello taking the win (Rochelle Gilmore) from MB Cycles (Kirsty Braun). Once again, we were third, thanks to Jessie for her teamwork today.
(Full) Results:
1 GILMORE, Rochelle HP Pinarello
2 BROUN, Kirsty MB Cycles
3 SUMMERS, Davina Cycle City/Felt- Plan B
4 MACLEAN, Jessie Cycle City/Felt
5 HALLIDAY, Amber MB Cycles