Stage 1 ITT
There were some nerves amongst the riders as the
first stage loomed ahead. It was a 20km Individual Time Trial which was 10km
slightly uphill, turnaround and 10km downhill. The riders had nothing to worry
about though, all posting impressive times throughout the stage. Minda Murray,
the last of BCS to head out, got the fastest time in 33.28 minutes landing her
in 22nd place and +4.04 minutes down on the leader Rebecca Waisak who rode a
blistering time of 29.24 minutes. BCS guest rider Veronica Micich also rode an
impressive time trial of 33.45 minutes. Next was Tayla Evans in 34.16 minutes, Georgia
Vessy in 34.23 minutes and Emma Pane in 35.43 minutes. There were all smiles a
the end of the stage, apart from Emma who had damaged an electronic gear cable
and had to rush off to somewhere to get it replaced before stage 2.
tayla taking off in the tt
Stage 2 Criterium Wangaratta Aerodrome
Stage two was set to be hectic. With 81 riders
and the difficult course and surface, the girls rode exceptionally well. The
wide circuit made it difficult to get a good position near the front, when the
front was a wall of ten or more riders. Despite this, the team was continually
in the front half of the bunch, always moving forward and proactive. The team
also bonded really well during this stage, and riders worked to protect the
team and at some points controlled the race. Tayla Evans rode off the front in an impressive display, and
stayed away solo for 6km. It was the only break for the day. Coming into the
final sprint the circuit made it extremely difficult to move up, but all BCS
riders finished in the front half of the field, all getting bunch time. Minda
crossed the line in 29th, Tayla 32nd, Georgia 40th, Von 44th and Emma 59th. We
were also super excited to see Heather Hanson (Lauretta’s mum) after the race
minda and von
Stage 3 Strada Nero
With a start time of 1pm today, it was the
perfect chilled out morning, allowing us to settle and drink coffee before
worrying about getting ready. A few nerves were showing amongst the girls
thinking about the sprints and QOM’s
in todays race, including the dreaded 6km dirt climb. The race started well with
the girls all sitting in and Tayla taking 3rd in the first intermediate sprint.
Nothing too exciting happened until the first QOM where a break was formed with
most teams featuring including our very own Minda Murray. The break quickly
splintered up the climb with Min coming back to the bunch and only a handful of
girls held the break. The break stayed out in front, but always in view, right
over the 2nd QOM and well into the dirt climb, where as the main bunch
splintered so did the breakaway. It was great to see Georgia right up the front
and climbing with some of the well known climbers, getting herself into the
front bunch. Tayla finished the climb in ‘no mans land’,
but was soon collected by a decent size bunch that started the chase. Minda
finished the climb in bunch 3 with Von and Emma closely following, where they
found themselves in chase group 3. With the front bunch sitting up, it didn't
take long for all the groups to come back together and for the sprint
preparation to begin. The BCS girls worked amazingly together to protect Tayla
and keep her legs fresh for the fast finish where she managed to get through
for her first NRS top ten in 7th, followed closely by Emma in 20th, Georgia in
32nd, Minda 49th and Von 50th. So proud of how the girls worked as a team
today, things are definitely looking up for us!!
Stage 4 Road Race
Clouds loomed as the team set up for the Moyhu,
Myrrhee Road Race, which was 85km through the picturesque hills of the King
Valley. Luckily the rain held off, and the girls raced dry in what turned out
to be another spectacular day of racing. The race started much the same as the
day before, and there were no attacks until the first sprint. Tayla sprinted
superbly for a second place against Bicycle Superstore’s Kristy Glover. Von and Minda covered any counter attacks
afterwards, and nothing got too far. With Emma looking after our super climber
Georgia, who was saving her legs for the second QOM, Tayla, Minda and Von
looked after the front of the bunch. Everything stayed together over the first
QOM and through the second sprint. Next came the second QOM, where NRS leader
Ruth Corset attacked. Georgia performed spectacularly, and proved her class,
finishing in the front bunch behind the attack. Unfortunately a break went on
the descent of the climb, and our team couldn't respond quick enough. The wall
of riders at the front made it hard to move up, and the break of three riders
continued to extend their lead. BCS responded aggressively as soon as they
could, trying and trying to initiate a chase, but the other teams, content with
the GC as it currently stood, didn't seem interested in the chase. The break
got up, and all our team mates finished in the main bunch.
Overall a very rewarding tour in terms of goals
achieved for both the team and each rider’s personal goals within that. The time trial in stage one pretty
much decided the final GC. The classifications for BCS stood as follows: Minda
Murray 21st, Veronica Micich 25th, Tayla Evans 32nd, Georgia Vessey 34th and
Emma Pane 51st. The team out of 12 teams to compete, BCS got 8th overall in the
teams aggregate. A sign that the team is very consistent across the stages. The
team gelled very well throughout the weekend, and rode strong. Very exciting
times to come!
Von,Minda,Tayla,Georgia,Emma
