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                                                                                                                                                                                   2004 Coverage

Race Overview

Geelong Women's Tour

^{February 22 - 24, 2005}

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Stage Results    Final General Classification  Sprint Competition   Young Rider Classification   Photos

Stage 4 Review

With the climb of Mount Wallace looming for the riders at about 55km in to the 114km stage, this was always going to be a big day for the Geelong Women's Tour. On top of that, the day started out warm - having not really cooled down overnight and the mercury quickly rose as race time approached. 

By 10:30am, when the race rolled out, the temperature was already 27'C, on its way to a predicted 35'C. There was a slight breeze, which provided a tailwind out to Mount Wallace and a headwind back to the finish.

Within 5km of the start, three riders went away, Susie Wood, Silvia Valseccai and Vicki Burr made a cooperative effort which lasted until Mount Wallace, when the group was split as each took the climb at their own pace, Susie Wood was first up the climb. The real action was just behind them though. Although the lead had gone up to over 6 minutes at one stage, Oenone Wood and Mirjam Melchers passed through only another minute or so behind Vicki Burr, who in turn was a minute behind Valseccai, who was a minute behind Susie Wood. 

The race leader was not worried about the break - having predicted that the climb would split it up, meaning that the momentum would be lost. So, it was a controlled Oenone Wood that passed on the climb. Oenone Wood was breathing heavily, but otherwise looked comfortable as she followed Melchers. There was a short gap before a large group appeared containing Kate Bates and  sister Natalie. Just in front of them on the road was Susanne Ljungskog.  

The 50km run-in to the finish after Mount Wallace saw some chasing, grouping and re-grouping take place; Oenone Wood and Mirjam Melchers were together, they caught Susie Wood and were then joined by Susanne Ljungskog and later by Wood's team-mates Trixi Worrack and Judith Arndt bridged the gap and worked to drive the group forward. 

With 5km to go, Race Radio announced that Susanne Ljungskog had broken away. With her was Oenone Wood. As the pair came into sight on the finishing straight, it was clear that Wood had the match of the ex-World and current Swedish Champion. She was well ahead with 50m to go and had time to raise her hands in a victory salute as she crossed the line - stage winner and race winner.  Her performance in the sprints also meant that she had won the sprint classification. 

Of course, the Tour is a race in itself, but by the end of the day, thoughts were turning to the first race in the UCI World Cup, the Geelong World Cup race. Oenone Wood would not be drawn on her prospects, or even on the Team Nürnberger tactics - although she admitted "I think looking at the way the team rode for me today, we're capable of anything." But she would not confirm whether she as defending World Cup champion (and defending Geelong Round winner) or Judith Arndt, the World Champion would be the protected rider for the win on Sunday.

The young rider classification was won by ex-triathelete, Michelle Hyland. This was her first major cycling win, although as a triathelete, she was a successful international. A shoulder injury stopped her swimming and effectively ended her triathalon career, so she switched to cycling. Asked about her win, she told Womens Cycling "Its my first major win in cycling, so I'm pretty stoked about it." The team was split in its loyalties, though, supporting both Tamara Boyd (13th overall) and Michelle for her jersey, but managed to give her some shelter in the bunch. Her experience of Mount Wallace had been relatively positive "I felt really good on the hill. I was with the bunch, but  then over the hill, I put it in the gutter and 'popped', so I was a bit disappointed with that. But I was happy with the effort, I just wish that I could have finished with the front bunch. Overall, though, its good.", she smiled.

Results  Stage 4 

Final General Classification

Sprint Classification

Young Rider Classification