Stage 1 - March 4: Khancoban - Tumbarumba, 77 km. Start 10:30am, finish 12:57pm

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Melchers clean sweeps first stage

By Jeff Jones in Tumbarumba

"Yes" Photo ©: Tom Balks

Dutchwoman Mirjam Melchers has given herself a perfect head start in the women's Tour de Snowy, winning the first, and possibly the toughest stage from Khancoban to Tumbarumba. Melchers was the fastest of a group of seven riders, finishing 1'35 ahead of the next group. In second place was Swiss rider Priska Doppmann (International) followed by Australian champion Margaret Hemsley (Australian National Team).

Melchers also won both mountain sprints, earning enough bonus seconds to put her nine seconds in front of Doppmann on the general classification. It was a flawless performance from after finishing third in yesterday's World Cup.

"I won the two mountain sprints as I thought there were also seconds to be won," said Melchers after her victory. "I thought in the finish if I was good enough then I should be there. It turned out very well for me."

It nearly came unstuck however as the leading seven sped into Tumbarumba's town centre, ready to be cheered on by the local school kids who were enjoying the action. The riders were following the lead car which diverted to the left, nearly causing a pileup.

Congrats! Photo ©: Tom Balks

Melchers recalled: "First there was [Roz] Reekie-May but she thought the finish was on the left. I was following her and I thought 'Oh shit' the finish is there. And then Priska was coming and we both almost crashed. I could get up and then over Priska, so I'm happy now."

Today's stage was similar in terrain to the World Cup - gradually uphill with a category 1 mountain sprint at 55 km, followed by a category 2 at 70 km. The finish in Tumbarumba was located only 7 kilometres after that.

Early scenery Photo ©: Tom Balks

The racing was markedly different to yesterday, with attacks going immediately after the flag was dropped outside Khancoban, where another crowd of schoolchildren sang a song to get the riders under way. The Australian Institute of Sport team was active, sending Liz Tadich, Alison Wright and Naomi Williams up the road on separate occasions. The Cooma Cycles team showed similar tenacity, as did Saturn who set a high tempo over the early climbs in order to soften up the peloton.

After 42 kilometres the bunch reached the main climb of the day, consisting of two four kilometre chunks, culminating in a mountain sprint at 55 kilometres. It didn't take long for the peloton to string out and then break into small pieces as the stronger climbers took control of the race.

A leading group was formed with seven riders: Mirjam Melchers (Netherlands), Priska Doppmann (International), Margaret Hemsley (Aus National Team), Susanne Ljungskog (Vlaanderen), Rosalind Reekie-May (New Zealand) and Saturn's Judith Arndt and Kimberly Bruckner. The main absentees were German Hanka Kupfernagel (Vlaanderen), who admittedly had only flown out to Australia 30 hours before the World Cup, and Cathy Marsal (Saturn), who had done a lot of work in the first part of the race.

Leading break Photo ©: Tom Balks

It quickly became apparent that this group would stay away, as they had 2 minutes at the 55 km mountain sprint. It was also apparent that Melchers was having a great day, as she bested Priska Doppmann for the mountain points, and more importantly, the bonus seconds. A little further back, Bruckner and Hemsley took the remaining bonuses, while Reekie-May, Ljungskog and then Arndt followed.

As the climb flattened out, Arndt put in a strong effort to regain the two in front of her, who then got together to catch the leading four. Arndt then went to the front to try and protect her teammate Bruckner, at the same time helping the break to stay away.

Kim Bruckner Photo ©: Tom Balks

At the bottom of the next climb, Bruckner turned on the power but she could only manage to lose Arndt and Ljungskog - not exactly what she had planned. Melchers and Doppmann again fought it out for the mountain points, with the Dutchwoman winning again.

On the descent into Tumbarumba, Arndt and Ljungskog regained the leaders and it came down to a seven woman sprint. The zig-zag finish into the centre of town was a little tricky to negotiate, but even after a near crash, Mirjam Melchers came off Doppmann's wheel to take the win.

"Everybody learned a bit from yesterday," Melchers said of the tactics today. "The bunch was together for a long time. It gave the Saturns an opportunity to ungroup again and they made it very difficult. But we knew that they were very strong. There was high speed in the beginning so that was killing."

Although she is known as a sprinter she had her good climbing legs on today. "At this moment of the year I think I'm a little bit better than the year before. I think I already improved myself last year during the season. It's good to know you are continuing the progression."

Doppmann wasn't surprised at Melchers' strength, as she told Cyclingnews afterwards: "I know she is a good climber and she seems to be in quite good form, as last year...I knew she was strong and was going for the mountain sprints. I knew I had to be careful."

Bruckner, who finished sixth today and out of the bonus seconds, was not as happy. "I had a stupid race. It's so different from last year," she said. "I think I just needed to sit and not get so anxious to worry about everybody attacking. I learned a lot today."

"Mirjam went for all of those sprints and she has quite a lead. It will make it tough."

Tomorrow will see the women ride two road stages: a 69 kilometre up and down drag from Tumbarumba to Tumut, followed by a tougher 50.7 kilometre leg Tumut to Talbingo which contains two categorised climbs. The stage finishes with a category 1 climb to Talbingo Wall.

Photography

Photography by Tom Balks

• The Japanese team - line up at the start in Khancoban
• The peloton - ride through the valley during the early part of the stage
• Naomi Williams (AIS) - was one of the early attackers
• Bridget Evans (Cycle Cooma) - signals for more water
• Swiss rider Priska Doppmann (International) - was in good form today
• The leading breakaway - on the first climb, with the next group in the distance
• Over the top for the first mountain sprint - Priska Doppmann and Mirjam Melchers fight it out.
• Margaret Hemsley - in the Australian Champion's jersey grits her teeth
• Judith Arndt (Saturn) - rode an excellent supporters race today
• Defending champion Kimberly Bruckner (Saturn) - shows the strain of her efforts
• Mirjam Melchers (Netherlands) - looking extremely strong as she leads Bruckner
• Children - from Tumbarumba's All Saints School cheer the riders home
• Mirjam Melchers (Netherlands) - raises her arm in triumph as she wins the stage
• "Yes!"
• Mirjam Melchers - celebrates with teammate Arenda Grimberg after winning
• Oneone Wood (Cycle Cooma) - was injured in the sprint
• Bridget Evans (Cycle Cooma) - rode a good race for 10th
• Tumbarumba's Mayor - presents the place getters with their prizes, which were symbols of the local area

Results

1 Mirjam Melchers (Ned) The Netherlands            2.22.27 (32.48 km/h)
2 Priska Doppmann (Swi) International
3 Maragret Hemsley (Aus) Australian National Team
4 Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Vlaanderen
5 Judith Arndt (Ger) Saturn
6 Kimberly Bruckner (USA) Saturn
7 Rosalind Reekie-May (NZl) New Zealand
8 Catherine Marsal (Fra) Saturn                       1.24
9 Emma James (Aus) NSWIS Trek Team
10 Briget Evans (Aus) Cycle Cooma
11 Miho Oki (Jpn) Japan 1
12 Hayley Rutherford (Aus) AIS
13 Kirstie Robb (NZl) New Zealand
14 Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) Vlaanderen
15 Kimberly Anderson (USA) Cannondale USA
16 Kym Shirley (Aus) Australian National Team
17 Naomi Williams (Aus) AIS
18 Nicky Solomon (NZl) New Zealand
19 Olivia Gollan (Aus) AIS
20 Susie Wood (NZl) New Zealand
21 Oenone Wood (Aus) Cycle Cooma
22 Emily Williams (Aus) Cycle Cooma                   1.48
23 Nicola Bedwell (GBr) International                 4.53
24 Dorothy Cowden (USA) Cannondale USA
25 Claire Baxter (Aus) Southern Regional Team         5.33
26 Johanna Buick (NZl) International
27 Jennifer Manefield (Aus) NSWIS Trek Team
28 Arenda Grimberg (Ned) The Netherlands
29 Miyoko Karami (Jpn) Japan 2
30 Heidi Van De Vijver (Bel) Vlaanderen
31 Melissa Holt (NZl) New Zealand
32 Alison Wright (Aus) AIS
33 Jessica Phillips (USA) Saturn
34 Liz Tadich (Aus) AIS
35 Katrina Berger (USA) Cannondale USA                9.22
36 Lorain Graham (Aus) Cycle Cooma
37 Helen Kelly (Aus) Australian National Team
38 Ayumu Otsuka (Jpn) Japan 1
39 Amy Safe (Aus) Australian National Team
40 Toni Bradshaw (NZl) New Zealand
41 Rochelle Gilmore (Aus) NSWIS Trek Team
42 Mari Holden (USA) Cannondale USA
43 Emma Rickards (Aus) Australian National Team
44 Hiroko Shimada (Jpn) Japan 2                      11.54
45 Tamamo Nakamura (Jpn) Japan 1                     12.57
46 Julie Hooper (GBr) International                  14.24
47 Alison Urquhart (Aus) Northern Regional Team      15.02
48 Anna Jones-Perrin (Aus) Northern Regional Team    16.35
49 Sara Carrigan (Aus) AIS                           20.42
50 Vanessa Crawford (Aus) Australian National Team
51 Natalie Bates (Aus) NSWIS Trek Team
52 Debby Mansveld (Ned) Vlaanderen
53 Vanessa Cheatley (NZl) Vlaanderen
54 Madeleine Lindberg (Swe) International
55 Petra Rossner (Ger) Saturn
56 Elsbeth Vink (Ned) The Netherlands
57 Kristy Scrymgeour (Aus) Saturn                    21.20
58 Harue Kimura (Jpn) Japan 1                        25.43
59 Raeleigh Tennant (Aus) Cycle Cooma                27.35
60 Liz Hickey (Aus) Cycle Cooma                      27.35
61 Mary Lou Webb (Aus) Northern Regional Team        29.40
62 Kanako Nishi (Jpn) Japan 2                        29.57
63 Esther van der Helm (Ned) The Netherlands         30.11
64 Josephine Groenveld (Ned) The Netherlands         38.23
65 Rebecca Cleveland (Aus) Southern Regional Team    39.37
66 Katie Knight (Aus) Southern Regional Team
67 Risa Sakaida (Jpn) Japan 2                        43.55
68 Rebecca McConnell (Aus) Southern Regional Team    44.40
DNF Helen Lee (Aus) Northern Regional Team
 
Number of starters: 69
Classified: 68
Outside time limit: 1
 
Mountains
 
Mountain sprint 1 - Category 1, 55.4 km
 
1 Mirjam Melchers (Ned) The Netherlands                 10 pts
2 Priska Doppmann (Swi) International                    8
3 Kimberly Bruckner (USA) Saturn                         6
4 Maragret Hemsley (Aus) Australian National Team        4
5 Rosalind Reekie-May (NZl) New Zealand                  2
 
Mountain sprint 2 - Category 2, 70.4 km
 
1 Mirjam Melchers (Ned) The Netherlands                  6 pts
2 Priska Doppmann (Swi) International                    4
3 Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Vlaanderen                     3
4 Maragret Hemsley (Aus) Australian National Team        2
5 Kimberly Bruckner (USA) Saturn                         1
 
General classification after stage 1
 
1 Mirjam Melchers (Ned) The Netherlands            2.21.51
2 Priska Doppmann (Swi) International                 0.09
3 Maragret Hemsley (Aus) Australian National Team     0.20
4 Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Vlaanderen                  0.28
5 Kimberly Bruckner (USA) Saturn                      0.29
6 Rosalind Reekie-May (NZl) New Zealand               0.34
7 Judith Arndt (Ger) Saturn                           0.36
8 Catherine Marsal (Fra) Saturn                       2.00
9 Emma James (Aus) NSWIS Trek Team
10 Briget Evans (Aus) Cycle Cooma
11 Miho Oki (Jpn) Japan 1
12 Hayley Rutherford (Aus) AIS
13 Kirstie Robb (NZl) New Zealand
14 Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) Vlaanderen
15 Kimberly Anderson (USA) Cannondale USA
16 Kym Shirley (Aus) Australian National Team
17 Naomi Williams (Aus) AIS
18 Nicky Solomon (NZl) New Zealand
19 Olivia Gollan (Aus) AIS
20 Susie Wood (NZl) New Zealand
21 Oenone Wood (Aus) Cycle Cooma
22 Emily Williams (Aus) Cycle Cooma                   2.24
23 Nicola Bedwell (GBr) International                 5.29
24 Dorothy Cowden (USA) Cannondale USA
25 Claire Baxter (Aus) Southern Regional Team         6.09
26 Johanna Buick (NZl) International
27 Jennifer Manefield (Aus) NSWIS Trek Team
28 Arenda Grimberg (Ned) The Netherlands
29 Miyoko Karami (Jpn) Japan 2
30 Heidi Van De Vijver (Bel) Vlaanderen
31 Melissa Holt (NZl) New Zealand
32 Alison Wright (Aus) AIS
33 Jessica Phillips (USA) Saturn
34 Liz Tadich (Aus) AIS
35 Katrina Berger (USA) Cannondale USA                9.58
36 Lorain Graham (Aus) Cycle Cooma
37 Helen Kelly (Aus) Australian National Team
38 Ayumu Otsuka (Jpn) Japan 1
39 Amy Safe (Aus) Australian National Team
40 Toni Bradshaw (NZl) New Zealand
41 Rochelle Gilmore (Aus) NSWIS Trek Team
42 Mari Holden (USA) Cannondale USA
43 Emma Rickards (Aus) Australian National Team
44 Hiroko Shimada (Jpn) Japan 2                      12.30
45 Tamamo Nakamura (Jpn) Japan 1                     13.33
46 Julie Hooper (GBr) International                  15.00
47 Alison Urquhart (Aus) Northern Regional Team      15.38
48 Anna Jones-Perrin (Aus) Northern Regional Team    17.11
49 Sara Carrigan (Aus) AIS                           21.18
50 Vanessa Crawford (Aus) Australian National Team
51 Natalie Bates (Aus) NSWIS Trek Team
52 Debby Mansveld (Ned) Vlaanderen
53 Vanessa Cheatley (NZl) Vlaanderen
54 Madeleine Lindberg (Swe) International
55 Petra Rossner (Ger) Saturn
56 Elsbeth Vink (Ned) The Netherlands
57 Kristy Scrymgeour (Aus) Saturn                    21.56
58 Harue Kimura (Jpn) Japan 1                        26.19
59 Raeleigh Tennant (Aus) Cycle Cooma                28.11
60 Liz Hickey (Aus) Cycle Cooma
61 Mary Lou Webb (Aus) Northern Regional Team        30.16
62 Kanako Nishi (Jpn) Japan 2                        30.33
63 Esther van der Helm (Ned) The Netherlands         30.47
64 Josephine Groenveld (Ned) The Netherlands         38.59
65 Rebecca Cleveland (Aus) Southern Regional Team    40.13
66 Katie Knight (Aus) Southern Regional Team
67 Risa Sakaida (Jpn) Japan 2                        44.31
68 Rebecca McConnell (Aus) Southern Regional Team    45.16
 
Mountains classification
 
1 Mirjam Melchers (Ned) The Netherlands                 16 pts
2 Priska Doppmann (Swi) International                   12
3 Kimberly Bruckner (USA) Saturn                         7
4 Maragret Hemsley (Aus) Australian National Team        6
6 Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Vlaanderen                     3
7 Rosalind Reekie-May (NZl) New Zealand                  2
 
Points classification
 
1 Mirjam Melchers (Ned) The Netherlands                  5 pts
2 Priska Doppmann (Swi) International                    3
3 Maragret Hemsley (Aus) Australian National Team        2
4 Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Vlaanderen                     1

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