Australian National Road Championships 2009

WCN quicklink >>    Road Race - Ryan double     Time Trial - Ryan wins     Road Race Preview    

                               Broun takes second criterium title

On this page >>  Write-up      Comments     Results      Photos

Queensland’s Carla Ryan reclaimed her crown when she won the Elite Women’s Time Trial at the Scody Australian Open Road Championships held in Buninyong.

The 2007 champion covered the 28km course in a time of 41:21.05, edging out South Australia’s Alexis Rhodes 41:21.67 by a mere six tenths of a second, with Barcelona Olympic road race gold medallist Kathy Watt in third place 41:34.19.  

West Australian Josephine Tomic won the Under 23 title ahead of Queensland ’s Shara Gillow, with another West Australian Sarah Kent in third.

Tomic only arrived in Ballarat at midnight last night after racing the five day Jayco Bay Criterium Series, the 2007 triple junior World Champion posted a time of 42:56.14 on her first ever ride of the challenging Mt Buninyong course.
Queensland ’s Gillow, daughter of Moscow Olympian David, finished just over three seconds behind Tomic in a time of 42:59.84. Sarah Kent, who like Tomic arrived into Ballerat late after finishing the Bay classis continued her good form to take Bronze 43:18.06.

Former rowers Amber Halliday and Sally Robbins also lined up today with three time world rowing champion, Halliday, impressed on debut. The South Australia finished fourth in a time of 41:36.76 only two seconds off the bronze medal.

Meantime Robbins finished well down the field in 22nd place with her time of 47:04.58.

Vicki Whitelaw, one of the pre-race favourites, was on track for a podium finish before a puncture put paid to her medal hopes. She ended up in fifth place in a time of 42:40.00.

Post Race Comments

Carla Ryan (Cervelo Test Team) rode strongly to win the Australian TT championship. Chatting to reporters after the event Ryan said, “I didn’t expect it. I wanted to just go out and enjoy it 'cos' I hadn’t had awesome preparation.”

A former Victorian who moved from regional Victoria to Queensland in 2003, the diminutive Ryan battled strong winds midway through the race. “The wind was crazy, and especially with my build, I was thrown around a bit," she said. "There were some massive wind gusts and I had to stay positive and keep the pressure on the pedals.”

After a 2008 which included signing her first professional contract with Cervelo-Test team in addition to competing in her first road World Championships, the 23-year-old also sealed a spot at the 2009 World Championships with her win. “When I won in 2007, I was with the QAS ( Queensland Academy of Sport), so I didn’t get to wear the green and gold jersey very much, but now with Cervelo, it will be awesome to wear it on my skinsuit all year," said Ryan who will race around the world as a professional this year.

Alexis Rhodes (Webcor) was disappointed missing out on Gold by 6/10 of a second, "I'm happy with how I rode but to come second by such a small margin kind of hurts a bit," said Rhodes . "Full credit to Carla she rode awesome and she was a better bike rider on the day."

Josie Tomic (WA) rode exceptionally to win gold and cement her position as the top of the new breed of young riders rising up the ranks in Australia . “I am quite happy just coming off the Bay crits as Sarah ( Kent ) and I are quite tired,” Tomic said. “I didn’t actually mind the hill and I think I saved myself too much thinking it was going to be even more hilly. At least I know for next year.”

Shara Gillow  (Queensland) started strongly but could not match the speed of tomic. “I like time trialling and I like hills, so I am pretty stoked.” Gillows said.

Sarah Kent (WA) was a team mate to Tomic over the 5 day Bay Criterium races and worked really hard for Tomic. She carried the form to Ballerat but could not match the speed of the former junior world champion. “My goal was just to get my name up there and on the podium, so I am happy,” said Kent .