Jayco Greater Dandenong Criterium - NE

Dandenong, Victoria, December 18, 2005

Results

MacPherson does it easily and Wilson steals the show

Macpherson off the front
Photo ©: CJ Farquharson

The Jayco Greater Dandenong Criterium women's event was run in support of the newly formed Amy Gillett Foundation, with race entry fees donated by CycleSport Victoria to the Foundation. It was unfortunate for the organisers that the criteriums were held on the same date as events in the Victorian senior track championships, which undoubtedly resulted in a lower turnout for this event, since several women who would normally have made the crossover were otherwise occupied at the velodrome just down the road. Event organisers are already planning to run a bigger and better event in 2006.

There wasn't too much doubt about the final outcome of the race when Jenny MacPherson (VIS) slipped off the front with just a couple of laps covered. MacPherson quickly established a 30-second lead over the chasing bunch. There was little organisation on the part of the chasers and the experienced Victorian was able to continue to extend her lead.

The main race podium
Photo ©: CJ Farquharson

The chasers appeared to be rallying for finishing positions throughout the 30 minute event and no one rider seemed prepared to go out and chase. There was a 'spoiler' in the bunch though; Peta Mullins played a deliberately strategic role by slowing the pace at the front when she took her turn at the head of the chase. MacPherson's break meant that she took the first and all subsequent intermediate sprints on offer. With five minutes to go, it looked like she might even make contact with the rear of the bunch, thereby lapping the field. It was not to be, however, as the race was not quite long enough "Another couple of laps and I might have managed it" said MacPherson post-race. MacPherson got close though, as the bunch took the bell, for the lead car (of the Amy Gillett Foundation) to escort MacPherson to the win.

Peta Mullins (VIS) snuck off the front late in the race and managed to stay away for a comfortable second place. This was a brave move, considering she must have had tired legs after taking the silver medal in the Victorian Track Championships points race just a few hours earlier. Maryam Rogers, (Kathy Watt Training) went the long way around by sprinting from almost the back of the chasing bunch to take third place by half a wheel.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by CJ Farquharson/www.womenscycling.net

Race organiser John Treverrow gives Matt Wilson and Baden Cooke a time check
Maltese Commonwealth Games hopeful Stephania Magri waits for the start of the women's race
Jenny Macpherson (VIS) was relaxed and ready to go - and go she did!
Macpherson off the front in the women's race on the second lap - the race winning move
The chase bunch in the women's race, led by Kerryn Charman (Bike Now)
Peta Mullins (VIS) waited until late-race, then made her move off the front behind teammate Macpherson
The sprint for third place in the women's race
Maryam Rogers (Kathy Watt Training) takes third in the women's race
Happy team-mates: Jenny Macpherson (l) and Peta Mullins (r)
Tour de France legend Phil Anderson tries psychological tactics on Tour de France revelation Simon Gerrans (AG2R) prior to the celebrity relay race
Ross Hepburn (City of Greater Dandenong council) looks a little apprehensive about the celebrity relay race
Carl Wullf (City of Greater Dandenong council) outsprints Phil Anderson in the celebrity relay race
Ross Hepburn celebrates (half a lap early)
Baden Cooke and Simon Gerrans wait for their turn in the celebrity relay race
Gerrans shouts for John Treverrow to sprint
Treverrow takes the sprint for his lap
Cooke outsprints Gerrans to take overall victory for his team in the celebrity relay race
The six-man breakaway in the main race
Baden Cooke (FdJ) keeps an eye on the front of the race
William Walker (Rabobank) looks over the wrong shoulder for Simon Gerrans (AG2R)
The criteriums at Dandenong were about raising funds for the Amy Gillett Foundation
Simon Gerrans (AG2R) in the main bunch
Matt Wilson (FdJ) leads Taigh Banson (SHM), Baden Cooke (FdJ) (obscured), Jonathon Clarke (VIS) - the four remaining breakaway riders
Simon Gerrans (AG2R) could only watch his European pro peloton colleagues from the bunch
Driving the break at about half distance
Baden Cooke (FdJ) in full flight
Simon Gerrans (AG2R) takes the bunch sprint
Taigh Banson (SHM) eventually lost contact with the first three, but continued to ride hard
Matt Wilson takes the win in the town of his birth
The main race podium (l-r): Jonathon Clarke (VIS) (on his 21st birthday!), Matt Wilson (FdJ) and Baden Cooke (FdJ)

Results

Elite men

1 Matt Wilson (Francaise des Jeux)
2 Jonathon Clarke (VIS)
3 Baden Cooke (Francaise des Jeux)

Elite women
 
1 Jenny MacPherson (VIS)                 
2 Peta Mullens (VIS)                     
3 Maryam Rogers (Kathy Watt Training)    
4 Deborah Fagg (Albury-Wodonga CC)       
5 Gemma Goyne (Bike Now)