Santos Women's Cup

After racing the Victorian State Titles road race in our own backyard both Kate and I packed up our bikes to head over to Adelaide for what would be my first time racing the Santos Women’s Cup!

We were both real excited to be lining up for what was sure to be some more aggressive women’s racing and also to experience the atmosphere of the Tour Down Under.

After an early flight we made our way to our accommodation with Nik in Glenelg and proceeded straight to the coffee shop to kick start the day. We then put our bikes together and set off to roll the legs out from yesterday’s road race. The beach side suburbs of Adelaide are beautiful, but surprisingly still very relaxed and laid back, nothing like our beach road in Melbourne! We were all very thrilled to spot numerous pro teams, escorted by team cars, also out for their morning roll, but not so thrilled to come close to a collision with the Saxo-Tinkoff Team as they very nearly failed to give way to us at a round about!

We rolled into town early so as to register and get a few laps in on the circuit. Stage 1 was exciting as we were on before the TDU Cancer Classic, so there was a huge crowd and quite an impressive set up. The race was super aggressive with numerous attacks and small breaks forming. Nothing really stayed away resulting in a bunch sprint to finish. We were all really happy with our first race, having fulfilled our individual goals and also making our presence felt as a team. The race was taken out by the inform Kimberly Wells, Kate placed 8^th, Lauretta 12^th, myself 14^th and Nik 18^th.

Lauretta launching an attack in the opening stage #1 of the Santos Cup.

Stage #2 was quite a different kettle of fish! We rolled into the Prospect course, and the hotdog circuit looked brutal. It consisted of two fairly short and quite narrow straights which seemed only long enough to get up to speed before you were braking to take the next corner. From the gun Lauretta got a good start and proceeded to set a high pace for the first couple of laps, this immediately strung out the field to form a single file. There was also a crash on the very first corner which split the bunch from the start, with impeded riders. Nik got caught up in a
crash instantly, being forced to chase rather than being allowed a lap out. I couldn't believe it when the commentator said we had only been racing for 6 minutes and the entire field was blown to pieces! I soon found some rhythm and managed to fall in with both Kate and Lauretta, this was now a good opportunity to work together to bridge up to the leading group. I think we chased for about 10min, just dangling 50m off the back, the crowd were very encouraging and were willing us on to make contact the bunch. Kate and I eventually got there, although this was a relief, it didn't become any easier, as it never felt like you could get a sit, it was just a succession of standing starts out of the corners followed by excessive braking into them! I ended up popping off the back at 20min, leaving Kate to battle it out. Jo Hogan got away and established a substantial lead, enabling her to take the win, Kate again finished in 8^th place, and only 10 riders finished out of the 24!

Kate and I working hard to bridge back to the leading bunch on the ridiculously hard hotdog circuit of stage #2 at Prospect

The team pre race at Prospect

After a rest day on Tuesday, which we spent rolling around the beautiful Adelaide hills, we fronted up to the final stage in Unley. Kate unfortunately had to head back to Bendigo for work. This course looked a lot friendlier. It was a tight little street circuit with two longer straights linked by two very short lengths where you could really only get a couple of pedal strokes in before you start cornering; however still an improvement on the hot dog  The race was super aggressive with the Crino Cycles girls launching incessant attacks. One of the Crino girls eventually got away and was soon joined by Nic Whitburn to form an 18 second gap. The escapees were eventually reeled in with only 5 laps to go. The bell lap saw everyone jostling for position as we all caught the scent of the finish line. On the 2^nd corner one of the girls clipped her pedal which sent her bouncing sideways through the apex of the corner, amazingly she held it up but unfortunately split the bunch. As the front markers put the hammer down a small group of us were left to try and chase. The bunch sprint was again won by Kimberly Wells who had the Santos Women’s Cup all sown up with her classy riding! Lauretta finished 9^th, I finished 13^th and Nik 22^nd.

After the 3 races these were our standings on GC: Kate 11^th, Lauretta 13^th, Myself, 15^th and Nik 22^nd.

So my first time racing the Santos Women’s Cup, has left me keen to do it all again next year, Adelaide really turned it on for us!
Thanks to Kevin at Chameleon photography www.chameleonphotography.com.au for some great shots from Santos Womens Cup as well as Grahame Sonter from Newcastle