Women's Elite World Cup, Round 1 Canberra, Australia, March 7, 1999 Live Progress Reports

Progress Reports The first round of the Elite World Cup for women began in ideal racing conditions in Australia's national capital, Canberra. The temperature was around 22 with overcast conditions. There was no threat of rain and no wind problems. There was a large number of spectators lining the parcours. 11.00 (EAST) - there was a bad fall at the end of lap 1, with Dutch rider Arenda Grimberg crashing heavily. She was not badly injured. At the end of the second lap, Commonwealth Games Champion Alayna Burns fell and was forced to abandon. The first 5.1 km lap was raced in 8.08, and the next 4 laps were steady and done in 8.10. The peloton was complete up to lap 5. 11.20 (EAST) - Lap 6 was the fastest to date and they went through in 7.48. The pace was being driven by Elizabeth Tadich, Anna Wilson, and Karen Kurreck. The peloton was complete although there were some riders straggling being. The main contenders were in the front bunch. 11.40 (EAST) - The race was becoming a battle of attrition with small numbers of riders falling off the back as the pace was increasing. Lap 8 was ridden at a scintillating pace and the field cracked - 5.1 kms in 7.41. The leading group of Karen Kurreck (USA), Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger), Emma James (Aus), Alessandra Cappelloto (Ita), Anna Wilson (Aus), Chantal Beltman (Ned), Sanna Lehtimaki (Fin), and Caris Gilfillan (GB) - had a break of 20 seconds on the main bunch of around 40. A third bunch was some further distance and contained, most notably, Kathy Watt. Another bad fall came in that lap but we cannot report the rider as yet. 11.55 (EAST) - Lap 9 saw the positions change a little with a new break forming and consolidating with 12 riders - Karen Kurreck (USA), Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger), Alessandra Cappelloto (Ita), Anna Wilson (Aus), Chantal Beltman (Ned), Sanna Lehtimaki (Fin), Gunn Rita Dahle (Nor), Mari Holden (USA), Yvonne McGregor (GB), Tracey Gaudry (Aus), Suzy Pryde (NZ), and Sarah Symington (GB) - they have 18 seconds on the peloton of around 45 riders. 12.10 (EAST) - Lap 10 went by in a slower pace of 8.15. It was hard to see them keeping up the attacking pace of the last few laps. Liz Tadich fell badly and is now out of the race. The break is working well together and the gap is remaining. 12.20 (EAST) - Lap 11 saw German Hanka Kupfernagel and Gunn Rita Dahle (Nor) driving the race from the front. The time was 8.01. Liz Tadich report - she has hit her head again and appears to be not badly injured. 12.25 (EAST) - Lap 12 down and 7 to go. Time: 7.50 and the break is working well. 12.45 (EAST) - 4 Laps to go and the break is up to 1.30. Hanka Kupfernagel is driving the race on the hills. 13.05 (EAST) - 2 Laps to go. The race is now down to the leading 12 riders. They are over 4.00 in front and the last lap was 9.05. The race is slowing. 13.20 (EAST) - last Lap - with 1.5 laps to go Australia's Anna Wilson attacked but great work by German Hanka Kupfernagel brought her back. Italian Alessandra Cappelloto is struggling at the rear of the 12 riders. 13.30 (EAST) - Final Top 12 1. Anna Wilson (Aus) Australian National Team 2. Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) Greenery-Hawk-Berlin - 1.5 bike lengths 3. Sarah Symington (GB) Great Britain 4. Susy Pryde (NZ) New Zealand National Team 5. Alessandra Cappellotto (Ita) GAS Sport Team 6. Karen Kurreck (USA) North American Team 7. Gunn Rita Dahle (Nor) Norwegian National Team 8. Chantal Beltman (Ned) Netherlands 9. Sanna Lehtimaki (Fin) Greenery-Hawk-Berlin 10. Yvonne McGregor (GB) Great Britain 11. Mari Holden (USA) Ghia Dream Team 12. Tracey Gaudry (Aus) Australian National Team Complete results