|
|
|
|
Oceania Championships Women's
Road Race Preview |
|
|
|
|
|
With the European season just
around the corner many of Australia's top professionals have
already left to prepare for the spring classics but a highly
competitive field is ready to battle for the Oceania Champions
jersey. Taking the win also gives the winner an automatic
qualifying spot pending final selection at the World
Championships giving extra incentive to riders to fight for a
World Championship spot.
Last year Jessica Allen took the win ahead of Lisa Keeling in
a two up sprint from the early break. Shara Gillow rounded out
the podium after a long solo chase. Of the three only Allen is
down to start.
The Route
Three laps of a 35.78km circuit around Goombungee, just north
of Toowoomba. The hilly course is one that suits the puncheur
and climbers. An undulating eight kilometres opens the laps
before a 13.17km climb starting at the 8.4km mark. While the
average gradient might only be 1.5% if raced at a fast pace
will likely put a lot of riders under pressure.
Over the top there is a short descent of just under two
kilometres before a second 1.9km climb that tops out after
25km. After a gradual downhill run for two kilometres the
peloton will face another rise before a seven kilometre run in
to the finish.
The opening lap if raced hard is likely to result in a much
reduced peloton. Expect to see attacks come on the final two
rises. If a rider or a group is able to get a gap there is a
strong change they could solo away to the finish.
The Contenders
Start list available
here
Jessica Allen
Allen took somewhat of a surprise win last year but the former
junior World time trial Champion is a talented rider who
generally performs in big races. After her plans to target the
Rio 2016 Olympics as a tandem pilot on the track changed Allen
has refocused on defending her title. Has had limited
preparation but Allen is a fighter who will everything she
has.
Katrin Garfoot
The 2013 Champion is back to regain her title after finishing
fifth last year. If there is a type of course that suits
Garfoot this is it. The constant undulation and short climbs
are perfect for Garfoot. One of three Orica-AIS riders in the
race, giving her options. Capable of going with attacks and
has a potent sprint from a small group or can sit back and
wait for a sprint from a bigger group. Missed a lot of racing
with injury in January so her form is unknown. The time trial
will give an indication of her form.
Ellen Skerritt
Second overall in the National Road Series last year and on
almost home roads this could be the race Skerritt takes a big
win. Wanted gold in the under 23 time trial and road race at
the Australian Championships but had to settle for the podium
so expect to see her even more motivated here. Showed good
form at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race where she
finished eighth and the best young rider. Was off her best in
the time trial, after recovering from illness.
Rachel Neylan
With injury behind her the 2012 World Championship silver
medallist is back and has been flying this year. A narrow
second to Peta Mullens at the Australian Championships, sixth
at the Santos Women's Tour before an exceptional solo win at
the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race at the end of January.
Without a quick finish expect to see Neylan attack on the
climbs and attempt to solo to the win like she did at CEGORR.
Lauren Kitchen
Often thought of as a sprinter and leadout speciallist but
Kitchen climbs very well especially on ones like this. Kitchen
is a regular top 10 finisher on the hilly Buninyong course at
the Australian National Championships. Showed good form in the
time trial, finishing second. If Kitchen can hang on
with the climbers she will be hard to beat in a sprint finish.
Alex Manly
The little South Australian climber is ready to pounce. Second
in the junior race in 2013 and fourth last year. Manly climbs
exceptionally well and even with the race being her first as a
senior don't be surprised to see her climbing with more
experienced riders. 11th at the Junior World Championships
last year. In the past not having a quick finish has hurt her
but her sprint has improved drastically the past sixth months.
Tessa Fabry
Just missed the podium at the Australian National
Championships on a much harder course. Fabry showed what she
could do on a harder course and her third place finish at the
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race two weeks ago shows she is
in even better form now.
Jenelle Crooks
A strong climber but without a fast finish will be difficult
to win. Finished in the first big group at the Australian
Championships and will be a contender for the under 23
classification. Expect to see Crooks try and go away on the
final climbs if she is feeling good.
Kendelle Hodges
Won the bunch sprint for fifth at the Australian National
Championships ahead of the likes of Lizzie Williams, Lauren
Kitchen and Tiffany Cromwell. A quick finish and her ability
to climb make her dangerous on this course. High5 have a
number of cards to play.
Michaela Parsons
20 year old Parsons finished a strong sixth at the Tour of
Bright in December last year. Only came in to the sport mid
way through last year Parsons has already impressed on the
climbs. A much stronger field here than we saw at the Tour of
Bright.
Other names to watch: Jo Hogan, Taryn Heather, Jess Mundy,
Nicole Moerig, Alexandria Nicholls and Lizzie Williams. |
|
|
|