Race Overview and Write-up

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

^{2 March - 4 March} 

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New Zealand World Cup Race - UCI Round 2

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Round 2 of the UCI World Cup will be a hard-fought affair. The organisers have put together a hilly city centre course for the best women in international road racing. The race will complete 20 laps of a 12 km circuit. The circuit looks more like a motor racing circuit than a cycle racing course on a map, with its many twists and turns. The peleton will certainly find this a test of technical skill as well as fitness. The profile for the course gives an insight into the severity of the race - 2 climbs and an upwards drag each lap. 

Profile - Courtesy NZ World Cup Website - click here

With Rochelle Gilmore leading the World Cup for 2005, after her sprint victory in Geelong last week, the competition will be as fierce as the circuit. The Nürnberger team have defending World Cup Champion, Oenone Wood in second place in 2005 after round 1 and her consistency, strength and speed will doubtless be factor in Wellington, as well as throughout the season. The team is undoubtedly the strongest in the world at the moment and can choose from potential winners - in addition to Oenone, there is World Road Race Champion, Judith Arndt capable of a strong finish on a difficult circuit. The Nürnberger have certainly not written off 2005 World Cup glory after the near-miss of taking the jersey in round 1.....

.Map Courtesy  NZ World Cup Website - click here

Click on the image to enlarge                                                                      

The 'Kiwis' will have home turf advantage in Wellington, which could help their cause and provide the extra push required for a win. The New Zealand National Team and the Bike NZ team, who ride this round as Trust House New Zealand and Mizone New Zealand were strong all week in Australia - in the Geelong Tour as well as the World Cup. 

Of course, the current World Cup Leader, Rochelle Gilmore will be keen to defend her jersey. In a 2 week period, she has experienced the ups and downs of top class racing first-hand. On Saturday 19th February, she won the Sydney Track World Cup Classic points race, then on Sunday 20th, was relegated in scratch race for dangerous riding, after crossing the line in third place, then during the week of the Geelong Tour, she was informed that she had not been selected for the World Track Championship's Australian Team in March. Finishing the period on an 'up', she took the World Cup race on Sunday 27th in Geelong, having given a lot of thought to her track trials and tribulations, she has said that she sees her future on the road and that will be concentrating on the World Cup in 2005 with her Italian based team, Team Safi.

Others who may have an impact upon the race include the Americans who rode so well in Geelong. Riding round 2 as Avery Ford, Tina Mayola Pic, Lynne Gaggioli and Meredith Miller were strong in Geelong and are backed up by riders with huge experience and strength at this level, Emma James and Helen Kelly.

Start List