Bay Series 2008

Geelong Area, Jan 2-6

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Race 1

Williamstown, 45 minutes plus 3 laps

The sun shone down on the Williamstown circuit for the first race of the Bay Series for 2008. The women’s field boasted some of the top Australian riders and a handful of talented overseas competitors.

The favourites for the event, the Pitcher Partners team, which included last year’s series winner Kate Bates and three-time Australian Criterium champion Alexis Rhodes, did not disappoint the crowds lining the streets.

The pace was relatively steady for the first 12 minutes with the front of the race being dominated by Tiffany Cromwell (Richmond Cyclery/Promains) and Alexis Rhodes (Pitcher Partners) was working hard for their teams on the front.

At the first of the two sprints, it was the Olympic Champion Sara Carrigan (Rapido Cycles) who opened up the points score ahead of Peta Mullens (Jayco VIS) and Rhodes.

As the bunch crossed the start/finish area with 25 minutes remaining of the 45 minute race, Megan Dunn (CBD/NSWIS Development Team) who attacked. She managed to stretch the bunch out along the course with the pace of her attack. Dunn managed to hold a very slim lead but it was Cromwell and Mullens who managed to bring her back into the bunch.

As the bunch came back together a former winner of the event, Oenone Wood (Geelong Mazda) attacked with Lauren Kitchen NSWIS/DEGANI Café). The pair only managed a small lead as the peloton tried to bring them back. Grace Sulzberger (Swanston Hotel/Grand Mercure) worked hard at the front but Rhodes and Carrigan managed to jump the gap.

A number of minor spills disrupted the chasing peloton and a number of riders found themselves well down. Mullens managed to jump to the leading four risers and the group of five held a slim 8 second margin of the chasers. At the second sprint Carrigan was followed across the line by Mullens and Rhodes.

Katie Jones (Volvo) and Belinda Goss (Volvo) worked hard to bridge the gap to the leaders and brought the rest of what was left of the peloton with them. As the pace eased and only ten minutes of racing remaining it was Rhodes who seized the opportunity to attack. She showed the crowd the amazing turn of speed she has and very quickly opened up a 10 second gap. Kitchen worked hard to try to bring her back but could not manage it. Wood, Chloe Hosking and team make Teressa Cliff-Ryan moved to the front of the peloton but could still not managed to bring Rhodes back.

With 9 laps remaining the lead was out to 21 seconds. Jayco VIS rider Emma Rickards tried to pick up the pace on the front but could not close in on Rhodes. Wood and Hosking moved to the front again but Rhodes’ team mate Bates was on hand to control the bunch and stalled any attempts to catch Rhodes.

With 2 to go Leonie Burford (NSWIS/Degani Café) attacked the chasers and she managed to get a small gap of 6 seconds but at the bell she was swallowed up by the peloton trying to close in on Rhodes.

Rhodes was a clear winner, while the bunch sprint was a very close affair between Goss, Dunn and Bates.

Goss took second and Dunn third. Defending Champion Kate Bates was fourth.

The sprint leader going into day two was Peta Mullens (Jayco/VIS)

Alexis Rhodes (Pitcher Partners) dominated the race and showed why she has been a Criterium champion over the past three years. Winning in an 11 lap break Rhodes was very happy with her stage one win. “After last year’s success we were all a bit nervous coming into this year but obviously to come back with such a good team we are quite happy. Familiarity is the key to our success we have Kate Bates, Amanda Spratt and Tess Downing. Tess [Downing] unfortunately crashed today but we know she has the goods and of course we have Josie Tomic, Junior World Champion. It was nice for me to get one on the board if takes a little bit of pressure off the team. Tomorrow is a new day, we want to retain the yellow jersey and hopefully we can get Kate [Bates] in it, that would be my wish but we will see how we go” said Rhodes. 

Rhodes was in the main break of the day and discussed the point of her attack. “The break nearly got caught so I went and my team did so great to control the bunch. The key to Bay Criteriums is to be at the front it is a lot harder to be at the back” said Rhodes.

Belinda Goss (Volvo) sprinted for second and was very happy with how her team performed for her today. ”I am glad the first one is over” said Goss. “I didn’t have a great race today, my legs were struggling after the first lap but the Volvo girls did a great job for me out there today. It is great to know you have a team you can rely on, it is a great team environment” Goss added.

Oenone Wood (Geelong Mazda) was a very happy with her first race of the year, particularly as she had not raced since the World Championships in September. “I was surprisingly happy with today, I haven’t done any Criterium or for that matter any racing since worlds. For me it is a matter of getting my race fitness up before nationals. If I have to do some chasing like today, then it is good time trial training so perfect for me. Racing Bay Criteriums before Nationals is perfect preparation” said Wood.

Kirsty Broun (Volvo) worked hard for Belinda Goss today and was very proud to be wearing the Australian Criterium jersey to start the season in 2008. “It is an honour to ride in the jersey and with such a high class field it makes it very special.” Broun traveled back from Tasmania two days ago where she have a very successful Tasmanian Carnival. WCN asked if she had recovered well. “I feel pretty fresh, I had a couple of days off the bike and it is great to be here for Volvo and Belinda Goss and hopefully get her on the podium.”

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