Race Overview and Write-up

Trust House Women's Cycle Tour & World Cup Round 2

^{2 March - 4 March} 

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Previous coverage of the Tour of New Zealand in Wellington  >>  2010   2009    2008    2007    2006    2005  

Stage Review -  44km Circuit Race, Lower Hutt  

Pic first, daylight second

New Zealand is a long, long way from anywhere. Flying here from the US takes
some 20 hours. From Europe it's closer to 30 ­ even down under neighbour
Australia is three hours distant.

So with a huge commitment just getting to the Wellington start line, it¹s no
surprise the pace was hot from the gun in today's opening stage of the Trust
House Women¹s Cycle Tour of New Zealand.

But with no hills, long straights and benign weather, the enthusiasm was
neutralised and it all came down to a seething bunch sprint, won by Tina
Pic, who's riding the three-day tour for the composite Avery Ford
team. The US rider kicked away on the final corner with 300 metres to go and
blazed across the line ten lengths clear to take the first yellow jersey and
a 10 second time bonus.

Second was world number-one Oenone Wood of Australia, with Michelle
Kiesanowski (Trust House New Zealand) close behind in third. Kiesanowski
must surely rate as the top local hope, having just taken 4th at the Geelong
leg of the World Cup; although most kiwi sports fans would be hard pushed to
even recognize her.

"It's strange to be racing here in New Zealand. It's the first big race I¹ve
ever done here," Kiesanowski grinned. "It's pretty exciting."

Another Kiwi, and Kiesanowski's team-mate, Melissa Holt took the sprint ace
jersey, winning three of the four sprints - reward of a fine team effort.
"We wanted to make an impression ­ we rode really well as a team," Holt said
of her squad. 

102 riders from 17 countries have lined up for the tour, which tomorrow
heads to the wine and olive terrain of the Wairarapa for a 117km stage,
followed by a city-centre criterium in Masterton. Especially if it's windy,
the flat and exposed roads of the morning's stage are sure to make a
selection.  

Wood and another Aussie, Olympic road champion Sara Carrigan are both likely
contenders for the overall ­ as is one of Wood's team-mates, the
rainbow-clad Judith Arndt of Germany. In yellow, Pic is supported by
fellow-US riders Meredith Miller and Lynn Gaggioli, and with the speed she
showed today surely can¹t be dismissed.

General Classification - after award of sprint bonuses

1. Tina Pic (US) 1hr 10m 40s
2. Oenone Wood (AUS) @ 4 sec
3. Michelle Kiesanowski (NZ) @ 6 sec

Sprint Competition
Melissa Holt (NZ)

Results  - Stage 1  

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