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BMC Software Australian Open Road Championships
Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, January 16-19, 2003
Home Start List Results Next Race
Day 1 - January 16: Elite Women/s time trial, 28 km
The champ defends
Carrigan wins back to back titles
By Jeff Jones in Ballarat
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Queenslander Sara Carrigan has successfully defended her Australian Women's Time Trial Championship, clocking an unbeatable time around the challenging 28 km Buninyong course today. Starting last of the 24 competitors, Carrigan was spurred on by her coaches in the following car, who shouted themselves hoarse to urge their rider to victory. Her winning time of 41:53.34 (40.1 km/h) was slightly slower than last year, but given the windy conditions it was still a very good ride.
In second place was New South Wales rider and AIS scholarship holder Olivia Gollan, who finished just 12 seconds outside Carrigan's time in 42:05.35, while the ACT's Oenone Wood (ACTAS-Cycle Cooma) posted the third best time of 42:08.52.
"I was confident but you can never be complacent," Carrigan told Cyclingnews. "I hard to concentrate really hard. Defending a title is sometimes harder than breaking into it. I'm extremely happy and relieved."
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She described the last five kilometres, which were into a headwind, as the hardest. "That was going to be the make it or break it part of the course. That's where everyone would start getting tired and that's where you really had to put in...You think you're there, but not quite. It's that last little bit - you've just got to keep the pressure on the pedals."
Carrigan certainly did that over the entire 28 km loop, which started with a testing 2 km climb out of Buninyong into a headwind, then turned into back country roads with cross and tailwinds alternating. 10 km from home the course again turned into a false flat with an accompanying headwind, the only relief being a 1.5 km downhill stretch where speeds of 80 km/h were reached by Carrigan.
The Queenslander, who finished 5th in the TT and fourth in the Road Race at the World's last year, barely got out of the saddle during her ride, choosing to remain on her time trial bars and stay as aerodynamic as possible. After 12 km she had put 30 seconds into her 2 minute woman Hayley Rutherford, who finished second last year. She took back another 30 seconds into the stiff headwind, and was assured of beating at least one major rival.
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"It's hard when you see people up ahead," said Carrigan. "You've just got to keep concentrating on yourself otherwise you start concentrating on them, and before you know it you've lost your rhythm. I just tried to keep the concentration on myself."
Although remaining fairly quiet during last week's Bay crits, Carrigan had been preparing for today's race. "Strength work, a lot of hill work and a bit of speed work on top of that. Liz Hepple (QIS coach) has been working with me a fair bit so that's been important. But after I head home after the road race on Saturday there'll be a lot more build up until the World Cups in March."
After her ride today, Carrigan is one to watch in the road race. "It should be good," she said. "It's a great course and has a hill in it. It's a good hill to break the bunch up on, and there'll be a small bunch at the finish."
"I've obviously proved that I'm the strongest rider today. It's always different in a road race. There are a lot of tactics and teamwork. So I have to be able to read the race correctly and get myself up there into contention."
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Her competition will no doubt include Olivia Gollan, who won a round of the Bay Series last week. Gollan was delighted with her silver medal today. "I am really happy. If I'd found another 12 seconds I'd have been happier," she told Cyclingnews. "I'm actually quite stoked. I was really hoping for a medal today and I've pulled it off. Two years ago I didn't think I could have pulled off something like this."
"Kate Bates was in front of me but I caught her at the top of the last descent. It's funny because it was the same place that Sara caught me last year. That was certainly a big incentive. She also pushed me all the way to the line which was good."
Gollan expects a tough race on Saturday, where she'll be one of the favourites for the 100 km title. "It's going to be a more open race," she said. "There are certainly a lot of strong girls and a lot of fit girls around at the moment, and a lot of dark horses as well, not just the big names. With the crits I saw that there are a lot of girls who are fit and strong who are just coming into the sport, and a course like this will suit someone who's fit and light. It's going to be fun."
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Similarly, third placed Oenone Wood was both surprised and happy with her medal, as she was expecting a top 10. "I was counting down and thinking I can't do any worse than 9th place, but then it just started getting better," she said. "Especially when I think about who I was up against - Margie Hemsley and Kate Bates. I was hoping for a top 10, I was confident I could get a top 10, but it turned out a lot better."
Oenone was one of the few riders who actually preferred the headwind. "At least with a headwind you know you've got something to work against," explained the Cycle Cooma rider, who like most of the top riders make use of power measurement devices. "I had an SRM on but I've actually got it covered up. The only thing I'm allowed to look at is the cadence. So I just concentrate on keeping my cadence up and not getting bogged down."
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Tomorrow will see the Elite Men's Time Trial run over similar but slightly longer course of 39 km. Those that can pace themselves on the climbs and into the wind will perform the best, with Michael Rogers (ACT/Quick Step Davitamon) tipped as the hot favourite, and 1997 Australian TT champ Jonathan Hall (NSW) as a dark horse.
Defending title holder Nathan O'Neill will not be present, due to commitments in the U.S.A. with his new trade team Saturn. Also not lining up is Manchester gold medallist, Cadel Evans, who will instead concentrate on the road race.
Photography
Images by Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews.com
- The BMC Software Australian Open Road Championships in Buninyong, Victoria, is where it's at
- Natalie Bates' time trial machine helped the NSWIS rider to 8th spot
- A weight saving aero trick?
- Sally Cowman's Trek equipped with all the necessary speed gear
- Sally Cowman (Qld) warming up before the start
- Sara Carrigan's winning machine looks much the same as all the others, but it's the rider that counts.
- Sara Carrigan making sure that everything is right.
- Sara Carrigan was plainly focused during her warmup
- Natalie Bates (NSWIS) goes through her paces
- Margaret Hemsley (NSW/Nurnberger) is recovering from a bad cold, but still managed 4th today.
- The ACTAS-Cycle Cooma team warm up for the time trial. Margaret Hemsley is nearest the camera.
- Too small - Mick Rogers measures himself up against one of the women's bikes
- Greg Boorer gets Mick Rogers' TT machine ready for a test run
- Mick Rogers decides he wants the handlebars lower
- A modest crowd greeted the women for the first day of the Australian championships
- Jessica Ridder (NSW) was one of the first competitors to set off.
- The two Bates sisters, Natalie (L) and Kate (R.) - warm up on the rollers
- Hayley Rutherford (WA) warming up on her sawn-off tandem
- Lorian Graham (Qld) sets off on her ride
- Junior star Alexis Rhodes (SA) starts off. She rode well to finish 13th
- Amber Malone (WA) on way way through the starting chute
- A long way to come for a time trial. Visiting Englishwoman Angela Dolan.
- Jenny MacPherson (Vic) gets going for 28 km of pain
- Sally Cowman (Qld) tackles the first hill out of town
- Claire Baxter (Vic) navigates the back section of the BMC Software Australian women's time trial championships course
- Tania Shipton (Qld) tries to keep her rhythm over the hard roads
- Hellen Kelly (Vic) powering along the back section
- Emma James (NSW) on her way to 10th spot
- Oenone Wood (ACT) had a great ride to finish third
- Natalie Bates (NSWIS) puts her head down
- Amy Safe (SA) started 7th last and finished 7th
- Kate Bates (NSWIS) had good form, but was not the best on the day.
- Olivia Gollan (NSW) rode very well to finish second behind Carrigan.
- Alison Wright (ACT) had a top 10 finish today.
- Despite suffering from a cold Margaret Hemsley (ACT) still had the legs to finish 4th
- Hayley Rutherford (WA) maintaining a nice aerodynamic position during the BMC Software Australian women's time trial championships.
- Sara Carrigan (Qld): There was no question as to who was the strongest today.
- Sara Carrigan (Qld) battles into the headwind during her winning ride
- An exhausted Sara Carrigan recovers after her ride
- Oenone Wood (ACT) warms down on the rollers
- Oenone Wood (ACT) interviewed on stage after gaining third place
- Bronze Medalist Oenone Wood congratulated by QIS coach Liz Hepple
- Olivia Gollan (NSW) was a happy and surprised second place.
- Sara Carrigan (Qld) interviewed in her Australian champion's jersey
- Sara's the champ and a very relieved one it looks like
- The podium (L to R): Olivia Gollan (NSW, 2nd), Sara Carrigan (Qld, 1st) and Oenone Wood (ACT, 3rd)
- The place getters in the Australian TT championships, Gollan, Carrigan and Wood, stand to the National Anthem
Images by James Victor
- Team ACTAS-Cycle Cooma (Alison Wright, Margaret Hemsley and Oenone Wood) warming up for some impressive performances
- Alison Wright (ACT) suffered mechanical problems to finish out of contention
- Margaret Hemsley (ACT) ready to start
- Amy Safe (SA) accelarates away from the start, and into 7th place
- Natalie Bates (NSW) away to a good start
- Katherine Bates (NSW) concentrates at the start
- Katherine Bates (NSW) accelarates away from the start
- Margaret Hemsley (ACT) starts her ride, which saw her take 4th place
- Oenone Wood (ACTAS-Cycle Cooma) was the biggest improver to take the Bronze medal in a strong field
- Hayley Rutherford (WA) finished in 5th place
- Olivia Gollan (NSW) concentrating before the start of her strong Silver medal ride
- Sara Carrigan (Qld) focussing before the start
- Sara Carrigan (Qld) on the start ramp, in readiness to defend her National Championship
- Emma James (NSW) finishing for 10th place
- Natalie Bates (NSW) crosses for 8th place
- Margaret Hemsley (ACT) put in another consistent performance to just miss out on the podium by 10 secs
- Oenone Wood (ACT) sprinting to finish with the Bronze medal
- Olivia Gollan (NSW) rode superbly for the Silver medal, catching teammate Katherine Bates in the final 2 km
- Sara Carrigan (Qld) looked strong all the way to the finish to successfully defend her Time Trial crown
- Sara Carrigan (Qld) with the Gold medal and National champions jersey returning to Queensland
- Sara Carrigan (Qld) proud winner of the 2003 Australian Women's Time Trial
- A very happy Women's podium (L.to.R.) Olivia Gollan (NSW, 2nd), Sara Carrigan (Qld, 1st), and Oenone Wood (ACT, 3rd)
Results - 28 km
1 Sara Carrigan (Qld) 41.53.34 (40.10 km/h) 2 Olivia Gollan (NSW) 0.12.38 3 Oenone Wood (ACT) 0.15.18 4 Margaret Hemsley (ACT) 0.25.41 5 Hayley Rutherford (WA) 1.00.40 6 Kate Bates (NSW) 2.12.38 7 Amy Safe (SA) 2.13.46 8 Natalie Bates (NSW) 2.14.24 9 Alison Wright (ACT) 2.30.77 10 Emma James (NSW) 2.42.22 11 Jennifer Finlay (Qld) 3.35.58 12 Helen Kelly (Vic) 4.21.66 13 Alexis Rhodes (SA) 4.24.98 14 Lorian Graham (Qld) 4.33.85 15 Sally Cowman (Qld) 5.25.19 16 Tania Shipton (Qld) 6.06.21 17 Sally Smith (Tas) 6.09.16 18 Claire Baxter (Vic) 6.12.94 19 Amber Malone (WA) 6.24.86 20 Rachel Rademaker (Vic) 7.11.13 21 Jessica Ridder (NSW) 7.30.41 22 Jenny MacPherson (Vic) 9.14.13 23 Angela Dolan (GBr) 9.39.00 24 Kym Petersen (Vic) 13.59.50
Start list
Kate Bates (NSW) NSWIS Natalie Bates (NSW) NSWIS Claire Baxter (Vic) Hawthorn Emma Carney (Vic) Carnegie Caulfield CC Sara Carrigan (Qld) Gold Coast CATS Sally Cowman (Qld) Victor CC Angela Dolan (GBr) Cyclemans Jennifer Finlay (Qld) Victor CC Olivia Gollan (NSW) NSWIS Lorian Graham (Qld) Astra Cycling Club Margaret Hemsley (ACT) ACTAS-Cycle Cooma Emma James (NSW) NSWIS Helen Kelly (Vic) Carnegie Caulfield CC Jenny Macpherson (Vic) Carnegie Caulfield Amber Malone (WA) Northern Districts Kym Petersen (Vic) Carnegie Caulfield Rachel Rademaker (Vic) Blackburn Alexis Rhodes (SA) Norwood Jessica Ridder (NSW) Bathurst C C Hayley Rutherford (WA) Northern Districts Amy Safe (SA) Norwood Tania Shipton (Qld) Hamilton Pine River Sally Smith (Tas) Hobart Wheelers Oenone Wood (ACT) ACTAS-Cycle Cooma Alison Wright (ACT) ACTAS-Cycle Cooma
