Four Day Women's Cycling Classic

Australia, March 14-16, 1998

Stage 1     Stage 2     Stage 3     Stage 4    

Brief

The Victorian riders dominated the first two stages of the Discovery Channel Women's Cycling Challenge in Sydney today. The Victorian Institute of Sport/Jayco team won the first stage with star rider Anna Wilson taking the honours.

In the afternoon, Elizabeth Tadich took the road race from a top field of women riders.

Full Reports will be available on Wednesday (EAST).

Stage 1, Centennial Park Criterium, 30 mins + 3 laps:

 1. Anna Wilson (Jayco/VIS)			33 points
 2. Erica Green (South Africa)			30 
 3. Junita Feldhahn (QAS)			27
 4. Ellie Kennedy (QAS)				24
 5. Sally Smalley (Jayco/VIS)			21
 6. Elizabeth Tadich (Jayco/Vis)		18
 7. Sarah Carrigan (QAS)			16
 8. Kim Langton (Canada)			14
 9. Annie Gariepy (Canada)			13
10. Anke Erland (South Africa)			12
11. Jolanta Polikeviciute (Lithuania)		11
12. Rasa Polikeviciute	(Lithuania)		10
13. Charlotte White (Com Tech-NSWIS)	 	 9
14. Petra Rossner (Com Tech-NSWIS)		 8
15. Geraldine Denham (U21) (Jayco/Vis)		 7
16. Cybil Digiustini (U21) (Canada)		 6
17. Kim Shirley	(QAS)				 5
18. Tracey Gaudrey (ACT Academy of Sport)	 4
19. Diana Zilute (Lithuania)			 3
20. Edita Puchinskaite (Lithuania)		 2
21. Ronel Van Wyk (U21) (South Africa)		 1
22. Chantelle Roberton (Team Schweppes)		 1
23. Kim Palme (ACT Academy of Sport)		 1
24. Emma James (B) (Nth Sydney-Sydney Water)	 1
25. Nadia Frischknecht (Nth Sydney-Sydney Water) 1
26. Kate Hammill (Eastern Suburbs)		 1
27. Anriette Schoeman (U21) (South Africa)	 1
28. Sophie St. Jaques (Canada)			 1
29. Katherine Cato (Com Tech-NSWIS)		 1
30. Kellie McCombie (U21) (Team Netti)		 1
31. Margaret Hemsley (Com Tech-NSWIS)		 1
31. Julie Hooper (B) (Eastern Suburbs)		 1
31. Avril Swan (B) (Eastern Suburbs)		 1
31. Julie Hutsebaut (B)	(ACT Academy of Sport)	 1
31. Lisa Robinson (Nth Sydney-Sydney Water)	 1
31. Amy Taylor (U21/B) (Team Schweppes)		 1
31. Simone Jacobs (Team Netti)			 1
31. Annabelle Vowels (Team Netti)		 1
31. Katie Knight (U21) (Team Netti)		 1

DNF Belinda Probert (B) (Nth Sydney-Sydney Water)	
DNF Roberta Salvatori (Team Schweppes)

Stage 1, Criterium Race Commentary by Chris White

The criterium course for the opening stage of the race was a rather technical circuit, featuring two fast straights, with a witches hat turn at the southern end. At the northern end the course swept up to a 270o left hand turn before descending to a tight left hand turn that led them on to the main straight. Total distance per circuit was 1.35km.

The early break came from Juanita Feldhahn (QAS) and Erica Green (Sth. Africa) after less than 10 minutes. In an awesome display of power riding Anna Wilson rode Petra Rossner (Germany) off her wheel to cross over to the break. Ellie Kennedy (QAS) attempted to cross over to the break, but failed to make an impression on the leaders (she had to settle for 4th place). In a sprint finish Anna had no trouble holding off Erica and Juanita.

Stage 2, Centennial Park Road Race, 75 kms:

 1. Elizabeth Tadich (Jayco-VIS)		66 points
 2. Charlotte White (Com Tech-NSWIS)		60
 3. Ellie Kennedy (QAS)				54
 4. Kim Palmer (ACT Academy of Sport)		48
 5. Sophie St. Jaques (Canada)			42
 6. Anna Wilson	(Jayco-VIS)			36
 7. Tracey Gaudrey (ACT Academy of Sport)	32
 8. Sally Smalley (Jayco-VIS)			28
 9. Junita Feldhahn (QAS)			24
10. Erica Green	(Sth Africa)			22
11. Margaret Hemsley (Com Tech-NSWIS)		20
12. Anriette Schoeman (U21) (Sth Africa)	18
13. Katherine Cato (Com Tech-NSWIS)		16
14. Sara Carrigan (U21)	(QAS)			14
15. Anke Erland (U21) (Sth Africa)		12
16. Geraldine Denham (U21) (Jayco-VIS)		10
17. Kellie McCombie (U21) (Team Netti)		 8
18. Jolanta Polikeviciute (Lithuania)		 6
19. Emma James (B) (Nth Syd-Sydney Water)	 4
20. Annie Gariepy (Canada)			 2
21. Ronel Van Wyk (U21)	(Sth Africa)		 1
21. Kim Langton	(Canada)			 1
21. Cybil Digiustini (U21) (Canada)		 1
21. Kim Shirley	(QAS)				 1
21. Petra Rossner (Com Tech-NSWIS)		 1
21. Rasa Polikeviciute (Lithuania)		 1
21. Edita Puchinskaite (Lithuania)		 1
21. Diana Zilute (Lithuania)			 1
21. Julie Hooper (B) (Eastern Sub)		 1
21. Avril Swan (B) (Eastern Sub)		 1
21. Kate Hammill (Eastern Sub)			 1
21. Julie Hutsebaut (B) (ACT Academy of Sport)	 1
21. Nadia Frischknecht (Nth Syd-Sydney Water)	 1
21. Lisa Robinson (Nth Syd-Sydney Water)	 1 
21. Chantelle Roberton (Schweppes)		 1	 
21. Amy Taylor (U21/B) (Schweppes)		 1
21. Simone Jacobs (Team Netti)			 1
21. Annabelle Vowels (Team Netti)		 1
21. Katie Knight (U21) (Team Netti)		 1

Stage 2, 75 kms Road Race Commentary by Chris White

Stage 2 was a 75 kms road race (26 laps of a 2.9km circuit). This circuit will be the course for the inaugural womens World Cup Road Race on 29 March, except the race was run the opposite way.

The early break came from New South Wale’s rider Charlotte White (Com Tech) after less than 20km. Sophie St Jaques (Canada) crossed over, to be joined later by Elizabeth Tadich (Jayco/VIS), Ellie Kennedy (QAS) and Kim Palmer (ACT).

This group powered their way around the course lapping the main peleton after 18 laps. Sophie St Jaques dropped off with 5 laps to go, whilst a late charge by Anna Wilson, Tracey Gaudry (ACT), Sally Smalley, Erica Green and Juanita Feldhahn set them up for a fight for 6th place.

Charlotte White attacked up the climb. Kim Palmer was dropped and Ellie Kennedy was tailed off. The race came down to a sprint between White and Tadich. Tadich the more recognised sprinter of the two held off White, to win the race and take the Yellow Jersey.

Individual GC after Stage 2 

 1. Elizabeth Tadich (Vic) Jayco/VIS			84 points
 2. Ellie Kennedy (Qld) (QAS) 	78 
 3. Charlotte White (NSW) Com Tech			69
 4. Anna Wilson (Vic) Jayco/VIS 			69
 5. Erica Green (Sth Africa)				52

Teams GC after Stage 2 

 1. Jayco/VIS 				202 
 2. QAS 				150 
 3. Com Tech 				116 
 4. ACT 				 87 
 5. (South Africa) 		 	 80 
 6. (Canada) 				 80

Stage 3, Canberra Road Race, 120 km:

 1. Anna Wilson	(Jayco-VIS)			75
 2. Ellie Kennedy (QAS)				68
 3. Anke Erland (U21) (Sth Africa)		63
 4. Erica Green	(Sth Africa)			58
 5. Kim Palmer (ACT Academy of Sport)		54
 6. Junita Feldhahn (QAS)			50
 7. Anriette Schoeman (U21) (Sth Africa)	46
 8. Tracey Gaudrey (ACT Academy of Sport)	42
 9. Rasa Polikeviciute (Lithuania)		39
10. Charlotte White (Com Tech-NSWIS)		36
11. Jolanta Polikeviciute (Lithuania)		33
12. Elizabeth Tadich (Jayco-VIS)		30
13. Kim Shirley	(QAS)				27
14. Kim Langton	(Canada)			24
15. Margaret Hemsley (Com Tech-NSWIS)		21
16. Edita Puchinskaite (Lithuania)		18
17. Lisa Robinson (Nth Syd-Sydney Water)	12
18. Katherine Cato (Com Tech-NSWIS)		 9
19. Geraldine Denham (U21) (Jayco-VIS)		 6
20. Sara Carrigan (U21)	(QAS)		 	 3
21. Simone Jacobs (Team Netti)			 2
22. Chantelle Roberton (Schweppes)		 2
23. Cybil Digiustini (U21) (Canada)		 2
24. Diana Zilute (Lithuania)			 2
25. Annie Gariepy (Canada)			 2
26. Nadia Frischknecht (Nth Syd-Sydney Water)	 2
27. Julie Hooper (B) (Eastern Sub)		 2
28. Sally Molloy (Jayco-VIS)			 2
29. Emma James (B) (Nth Syd-Sydney Water)	 2
30. Ronel Van Wyk (U21)	(Sth Africa)		 2
31. Katie Knight (U21) (Team Netti)		 2
32. Kate Hammill (Eastern Sub)			 2
33. Kellie McCombie (U21) (Team Netti)		 2
34. Sophie St. Jaques (Canada)			 2
36. Julie Hutsebaut (B) (ACT Academy of Sport)	 2
37. Amy Taylor (U21/B) (Schweppes)		 2
38. Annabelle Vowels (Team Netti)		 2
39. Petra Rossner (Com Tech-NSWIS)		 2
40. Avril Swan (B) (Eastern Sub)		 2

Stage 3, 120 kms Road Race Commentary by Chris White

The race moved to Canberra on the Sunday, where the Canberra Cycling Club had picked out a very tough 60 kilometre out and back course, which was to be ridden twice.

Northern Sydney rider Lisa Robinson took a flyer from the start, putting 2.5 minutes into the bunch at the 40 kilometre mark. The bunch seemed reluctant to chase, until at the 61-kilometre mark, we saw Anna Wilson spear off the front taking Ellie Kennedy with her. The two South Africans, Erica Green and Anke Erlank bridged across with Kim Palmer to form a solid lead group. The Com Tech rider, Charlotte White was caught down the back of the bunch, with tour leader Liz Tadich when the break came.

At the 80-kilometre mark the lead group reeled in Lisa Robinson. At the climb out of Condor Creek to the turnaround, Palmer dropped off followed by Green. This left a trio of riders to fight out the finish. The bunch was happy to roll in some 10 minutes down as Anna Wilson, out-sprinted Ellie Kennedy and Anke Erland. The 2nd place of Kennedy was enough to give her the Yellow Jersey.

Individual GC after Stage 3 

 1. Ellie Kennedy (QAS)				146 points
 2. Anna Wilson (Jayco/VIS)			144
 3. Elizabeth Tadich (Jayco/VIS)		114
 4. Erica Green (Sth Africa)			110
 5. Charlotte White (ComTech/NSWIS)		105
 6. Kim Palmer (ACT)				103
 7. Junita Feldhahn (QAS)			101
 8. Anke Erland (Sth Africa)			 87
 9. Tracey Gaudry (ACT)				 78
10. Anriette Schoeman (Sth Africa)		 65

Teams GC after Stage 3 

 1. Jayco/VIS					313 points
 2. QAS						304
 3. (South Africa)				262
 4. ACT						195
 5. Com Tech/NSWIS				180

Stage 4, Canberra Criterium, 60 mins + 3 laps

 1. Anna Wilson	(Jayco-VIS)			33
 2. Petra Rossner (Com Tech-NSWIS)		30
 3. Sara Carrigan (U21)	(QAS)			27
 4. Kim Langton	(Canada)			24
 5. Sally Smalley (Jayco-VIS)			21
 6. Annie Gariepy (Canada)			18
 7. Annabelle Vowels (Team Netti)		16
 8. Elizabeth Tadich (Jayco-VIS)		14
 9. Ellie Kennedy (QAS)				13
10. Junita Feldhahn (QAS)			12
11. Kim Palmer	(ACT Academy of Sport)		11
12. Ronel Van Wyk (U21)	(Sth Africa)		10
13. Erica Green	(Sth Africa)			 9
14. Jolanta Polikeviciute (Lithuania)		 8
15. Diana Zilute (Lithuania)			 7
16. Kim Shirley	(QAS)				 6
17. Charlotte White (Com Tech-NSWIS)		 5
18. Geraldine Denham (U21) (Jayco-VIS)		 4
19. Anriette Schoeman (U21) (Sth Africa)	 3
20. Rasa Polikeviciute (Lithuania)		 2
21. Anke Erland (U21) (Sth Africa)		 1
21. Sophie St. Jacques (Canada)			 1
21. Cybil Digiustini (U21) (Canada)		 1
21. Katherine Cato (Com Tech-NSWIS)		 1
21. Margaret Hemsley (Com Tech-NSWIS)		 1
21. Edita Puchinskaite (Lithuania)		 1
21. Julie Hooper (B) (Eastern Sub)		 1
21. Avril Swan (B) (Eastern Sub)		 1
21. Kate Hammill (Eastern Sub)			 1
21. Julie Hutsebaut (B) (ACT Academy of Sport)	 1 
21. Emma James (B) (Nth Syd-Sydney Water)	 1
21. Lisa Robinson (Nth Syd-Sydney Water)	 1
21. Chantelle Roberton (Schweppes)		 1
21. Amy Taylor (U21/B) (Schweppes)		 1
21. Simone Jacobs (Team Netti)			 1
21. Kellie McCombie (U21) (Team Netti)		 1
21. Katie Knight (U21) (Team Netti)		 1

Stage 4, Criterium Race Commentary by Chris White

Lias Robison took a flyer again on the 800 metre fast circuit at Fyshwick. This time the bunch reacted, reeling her in fairly quickly. The next to attempt to break away was Kim Langton (Canada). Kim was successful in staying away for over 20 minutes before a class bunch, comprising Petra Rossner, Sally Smalley, Sara Carrigan (QAS) and Anna Wilson crossed over to join her. In the last 10 minutes of the race this group lapped the field.

The main bunch were given an early mark, sprinting at 58 minutes, whilst the 5 leaders were given 5 more laps to fight out for the places.

Petra Rossner in her first chance to go head to head with Anna Wilson this year failed by less than 10cm to come over the top of Wilson, having to be content with 2nd. With Ellie Kennedy relegated to 9th place in this stage, the Tour Jersey changed once again to give Anna Wilson first place.

Final Individual GC

				     Points after Race	      Final
				1	2	3	4       GC
					
 1. Anna Wilson	(Jayco-VIS)	33	36	75	33     177
 2. Ellie Kennedy (QAS)		24	54	68	13     159
 3. Elizabeth Tadich (Jayco)	18	66	30	14     128
 4. Erica Green	(SAf)		30	22	58	 9     119
 5. Kim Palmer	(ACT)		 1	48	54	11     114
 6. Junita Feldhahn (QAS)	27	24	50	12     113
 7. Charlotte White (Com Tech)	 9	60	36	 5     110
 8. Anke Erland (U21) (SAf)	12	12	63	 1	88
 9. Tracey Gaudrey (ACT)	 4	32	42	DNF	78
10. Sally Smalley (Jayco-VIS)	21	28	 2	21	72
11. Anriette Schoeman (U21-SAf)	 1	18	46	 3	68
12. Kim Langton	(Canada)	14	 1	24	24	63
13. Sara Carrigan (U21)	(QAS)	16	14	 3	27	60
14. Jolanta Polikeviciute (Lit) 11	 6	33	 8	58
15. Rasa Polikeviciute (Lith)	10	 1	39	 2	52
16. Sophie St. Jaques (Canada)	 1	42	 2	 1	46
17. Margaret Hemsley (Com Tech)	 1	20	21	 1	43
18. Petra Rossner (Com Tech)	 8	 1	 2	30	41
19. Kim Shirley	(QAS)		 5	 1	27	 6	39
20. Annie Gariepy (Canada)	13	 2	 2	18	35
21. Katherine Cato (Com Tech)	 1	16	 9	 1	27
22. Geraldine Denham (U21) (VIS) 7	10	 6	 4	27
23. Edita Puchinskaite (Lith)	 2	 1	18	 1	22
24. Annabelle Vowels (Netti)	 1	 1	 2	16	20
25. Lisa Robinson (Nth Syd)	 1	 1	12	 1	15
26. Ronel Van Wyk (U21)	(SAf)	 1	 1 	 2	10	14
27. Diana Zilute (Lithuania)	 3	 1	 2	 7	13
28. Kellie McCombie (U21) (Nett) 1	 8	 2	 1	12
29. Cybil Digiustini (U21) (Can) 6	 1	 2	 1	10
30. Emma James (B) (Nth Syd)	 1	 4	 2	 1	 8
31. Katie Knight (U21) (Netti)	 1	 1	 2	 1	 5
31. Simone Jacobs (Team Netti)	 1	 1	 2	 1	 5
31. Amy Taylor (U21/B) (Schs)	 1	 1	 2	 1	 5
31. Chantelle Roberton (Schs)	 1	 1	 2	 1	 5
31. Nadia Frischknecht (Nth Syd) 1	 1	 2	 1	 5
31. Julie Hutsebaut (B)	(ACT)	 1	 1	 2	 1	 5
31. Kate Hammill (East Sub)	 1	 1	 2	 1	 5
31. Avril Swan (B) (East Sub)	 1	 1	 2	 1	 5
31. Julie Hooper (B) (East Sub)	 1	 1	 2	 1	 5

Final Teams GC after Stage 4 

 1. Jayco/VIS					381 points
 2. QAS						356
 3. (South Africa)				284
 4. Com Tech/NSWIS				216
 5. ACT						198