Australian Open Road Championships - CN

Mt Torrens, Australia, January 11-January 14, 2006

Photography

Race 6 - January 14: Elite Men's Road Race, 175.5 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mark Gunter/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

Luke Roberts (CSC) and Matt Hayman (Rabobank) have a chat
Simon Gerrans (Ag2r) one off the chances today
William Walker (Rabobank) …would have a surprise ahead of him
The largest field ever take too the road
Henk Vogels (Davitamon-Lotto) leads the early break
Baden Cooke (Unibet.com) at the start line
Robbie McEwan (Davitamon-Lotto) rounds the hairpin
The Peloton makes its way through the Adelaide hills
Henk Vogels (Davitamon-Lotto) and team mate Nick Gates in the break
Jonathon Clarke (VIC) leads the break
Henk Vogels (Davitamon-Lotto) keeps his speed on a small descent
Russell VanHout (SA) did his fair share of work in the break
The chasers had a bit of a go but couldn’t bring it back
Matt Wilson (Unibet.com) riding in the break
Russell VanHout (SA) near the feed station
William Walker (Rabobank) looked more like a senior ridder rather than a U23
The time gaps showed they were going nicely
Russell Van Hout (SA) always puts in a big effort
William Walker (Rabobank) with a couple of laps to go
The chasing bunch lead by Trent Wilson (Jittery Joe's)
William Walker (Rabobank) can see the finish line now
William Walker (Rabobank) takes his biggest win yet
Wesley Sulzberger (TAS) sprinting for second
The U23 podium (l-r): Wes Sulzberger, William Walker and Jonathon Clarke
William Walker (Rabobank) looking good in the Aussie colours
Russell VanHout (SA) get to wear the Aussie jersey for this year
The open champs podium Wes Sulzberger, William Walker and Russell Van Hout
William Walker (Rabobank) on the podium for the second time today
Podium hijinx... as
Russell Van Hout (SA) a relaxed character

Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

Event Director Mike Turtur (L), chats with commentator Stuart Doyle while the South Australian police are on the march in Mt.Torrens.
Hey Mum, have you seen where my bike is?
A kangaroo! This must be an Aussie road race.
Casey Munro from Victoria holds his wrist after a fall just four kilometres into the 175.5km race.
Robbie McEwen (Davitamon Lotto) gets a helping hand from Ben Brooks.
Robbie McEwen (Davitamon Lotto) looks for more speed on a descent in the men's road race title.
Gene Bates of South Australia is going bananas in the lead group.
Matt Wilson (Mr.Bookmaker) chows down in the leading group.
Mt.Torrens, South Australia - scene of the 2006 Australian Open Road Championships.
Wes Sulzberger (Cyclingnews.com, L) and Henk Vogels (Davitamon Lotto), explain the final kilometres of the race to the President of Cycling Australia, Mike Victor.
Hey man, it's really cool to win the Australian road title - well, the under 23 crown, anyway...
Wes Sulzberger (Cyclingnews.com) from Tasmania, proudly displays his silverware on the podium after his second place in the men's road race.

Race 4 - January 13: Elite Women's Road Race, 97.5 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mark Gunter/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

Oenone Wood (ACT) makes her way to the start line
The front row of the grid
Jennifer Manefield (NSW) leads the peloton on lap 2
Helen Kelly (VIC) Decends in front of Katie MacTier (VIC)
The Bates sisters worked for a while together to make a break on lap 4
Olivia Gollan (NSW) pushing the pace once more
Katie Bates (NSW) talks tactics with Oenone Wood (ACT) at the start line
A perfect day for racing
Sarah Carrigan (QLD) in thought at the start line
…and the race is under way
Natalie Bates (NSW) leads the peloton early on
The peloton up one of the many small climbs
Olivia Gollan (NSW) attemps a break
Kate Bates (NSW) worked hard for the win today
Jesse MacLean (ACT) relises her break attempt was about to be caught on lap 4
Sarah Carrigan (QLD) and Oenone Wood (ACT) had a go late in the 4th lap
Katie Mactier (VIC) at the start of the last lap trying to bridge the gap to Bates
Katie Bates (NSW) took the win by outsprinting Sarah Carrigan (QLD)
Oenone Wood (ACT) took the sprint for 3rd place
Kate Bates (NSW) faces the media after becoming the Aussie Champ
Kate Bates (NSW) was pleased with her win
The podium (l-r): Sara Carrigan, Kate Bates and Oenone
Kate Bates (NSW) standing tall on the winners podium
Three medallists on the podium

Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

Sara Carrigan (QLD) waits for the start
There are a few spares for any of the riders into retro jerseys
The early crash involved about eight riders
Deborah Fagg was a victim of the early crash
The women's peloton passes through some of Mt Torrens' farmland
Carrigan and Bates lead it away from the pack

Race 3 - January 11: Elite Men's Time Trial, 40 km

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Images by Mark Gunter/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

Ben Day (QLD) out of the gates and on his way to third
Dieter Georg (SA) had a bit of a tumble on the final descent
Luke Roberts (SA) had good form today…
…but nothing could compare to Nathan O’Neill(QLD)
Russell Van Hout (SA) driving it home
Nathan O’Neill (QLD) reflects on his seventh Australian TT title
The open men's podium (l-r): Luke Roberts, Nathan O'Neill and Ben Day
Peter Dawson (WA) contemplates his ride ahead

Race 2 - January 11: U23 Men's Time Trial, 40 km

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Images by Mark Gunter/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

Miles Olman (QLD) powers towards the finish line
Shaun Higgerson (NSW) was too strong today and took out the U23 title
Mark Jamieson (TAS) would have been disappointed with his second placing
Shaun Higgerson (NSW) on the winner's podium
The U23 podium (l-r): Mark Jamieson, Shaun Higgerson and Miles Olman

Race 1 - January 11: Elite Women's Time Trial, 27 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mark Gunter/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph

Alexis Rhodes (SA) Makes her way to the starting ramp
Kathy Watt (VIC) looked good from the start
Natalie Bates (NSW) makes her way up the first climb
Sarah Carrigan (QLD) rode strong
Kathy Watt (VIC) brings it on home and surprises everyone
Sarah Carrigan (QLD) was strong all the way to the end
Olivia Gollan (NSW) near the finish line
Oenone Wood (ACT) one of the pre-race favourites, but it was not to be
Sarah Carrigan (QLD) a crowd favourite on the podium
The women's podium (l-r): Sara Carrigan, Kathy Watt and Natalie Bates
Kathy Watt (VIC) still going strong - and how!