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The Advertiser Women's Criterium Series - NE
Australia, January 17-21, 2006
Main Page Results Overall standings Previous Stage
Stage 3 - January 21: Snapper Point (Aldinga Beach), 11:30am, 30 min + 3 laps
Defending champ backs up for another year, final victory to Gollan
By Anthony Tan in Aldinga Beach
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It took just seven minutes to create the winning move, but it wasn't till the very end until the overall title was decided. Crossing Aldinga's gorgeous beachfront Esplanade in fifth place, although pipped at the line by Katherine Bates, a smile slowly emerged on the face of 28 year-old Victorian Jenny MacPherson, who was pretty certain she'd successfully defended her title from one year ago.
Upon hearing confirmation of her series win, MacPherson began waving her arms in delight when she was called to the presentation area, shouting, "I won, I won!"
"I had to finish in the top six, and I could afford to let two or three away and hopefully win the bunch sprint, but Kate [Bates] had her sister [Natalie] leading her out, so it was a bit [too] hard to come 'round on this day when it's so hot," she said to Cyclingnews.
New South Wales' Olivia Gollan, the instigator of that early move that first saw Sallyanne Cowman and later Alex Rhodes bridge up to her, had been a determined competitor all week, attacking at every opportunity but never quite making the right move - until today.
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"I actually rode out here, and it was a two and a half hour ride through McLaren Vale, so when I attacked at the seven minute mark, I really don't know what I was thinking!" laughed the 32 year-old.
"I wasn't really planning on a 23 minute break, but Sally came across and we worked well together and it was an awesome effort by Alexis to get across as well. Once the three of us formed, the bunch settled down a little bit, and that enabled us to get a big gap.
"Coming into the final two laps, I knew there was a big headwind and a slight uphill drag to the finish, so I knew I had to be last wheel until about 200 to go."
Cowman's consistency saw her finish second overall in the series, 12 points behind MacPherson, with fellow Queenslander Bridget Evans second consecutive sixth place securing third, just two points behind.
Naturally relieved to finally put a win on the board, Gollan told Cyclingnews she had been training hard all summer, and was determined to reach her level of two years ago, which saw her on the podium of at World Cups and take top ten placings in major stage races, along with a couple of overall victories.
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"Yeah, certainly, I want to race for Australia in the Commonwealth Games and I feel my form is coming along for that; I think I'll definitely be an asset for the team. If I'm not selected, then I go to Europe and I race with my team over there, so I've always got to be thinking about having good form for the races coming up.
"I had a really good year in Europe in 2003 - 2004 and 2005 were not as good, certainly 2005 I had a definite slump - so I'm really hoping I can step up again and get those podium finishes again," she said, the women's Giro d'Italia being at the top of her list.
This year will mark MacPherson's second stint in Europe with the A.I.S., where she hopes to reverse her misfortune that saw her season cut short after breaking her shoulder in 2004. The sport and recreation officer from Daysdale but who now resides in South Yarra hopes to follow in the footsteps of her compatriots and secure a professional contract in 2007.
"We go over in April for two months, come back for two months and hopefully have enough of a rest to do August and September, so it will be four months in total," MacPherson said enthusiastically. "I'll have the opportunity to race some of the big races, get to know some of the teams and make contacts, and hopefully get some results to impress them and get on a pro team next year."
How it unfolded
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Run between the first and second laps of the fourth stage of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under, the deciding Advertiser Women's Criterium Series kicked off at 11.30am along the world-famous Esplanade at Aldinga Beach. A flat, rectangular circuit with four relatively generous corners was certain to ensure a fast pace, especially with such lucrative prizemoney on offer.
It would take a little more than thirty minutes for the expectant beachside crowd to discover would be crowned overall winner of the series that had so far dominated by sprinter Jenny MacPherson. In rounds 1 and 2, the Victorian had shown she was the superior speedster, notching a win on Monday against national road race champ Kate Bates and winning the bunch sprint for second two days ago in Echunga, the race won in a breakaway by Kate's elder sister Natalie.
With many of the women's field coming to the start after a two and a half hour training ride through hilly McLaren Vale, the pace was on from the get-go, Canberra rider Jessie Maclean first to attack the bunch and later MacPherson, before it was all together again after three laps completed.
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However, the ten-grand prize purse on offer was simply too mouth-watering, and a number of counters kept the pace high and the racing hot, right in line with the mercury rising. Olivia Gollan's attack six minutes into the race looked very promising, as Sallyanne Cowman bridged up to her.
By the halfway mark and with nine laps completed, Gollan looked as if she was tiring, forcing Cowman to briefly ride on her own, but in actual fact, she was waiting for women's criterium champion and comeback kid, Alex Rhodes, who launched herself out of the peloton on the top right-hand corner after nine laps, impressively making the junction two laps later.
With three out in front, a there was a lull in the peloton that only aided the breakaway, now at full steam ahead. Jessie Maclean went off on her own in pursuit, but was unsuccessful. At ten minutes to go, the fiercely determined Rhodes appeared to be doing the lion's share of the work, but still, Gollan and Cowman weren't missing their turns, determined to make this the winning move.
Inside the final five minutes, the trio enjoyed a near 30-second buffer, and it became clear one of these girls would take the victory. But who would win the series?
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In the break, Cowman was best-placed rider in third place on 62 points, 16 behind the series leader; for her to win overall and assuming Cowman won, MacPherson would need to place worse than ninth, the stage victory netting 40 points. But MacPherson later revealed to Cyclingnews she and Cowman had formed an alliance of sorts.
"I knew I had to look out for Bridget [Evans], Emma [Mackie] and Kate Nichols, but Sally and I have been helping each other out this week," she said. "I was happy to let her go and even if she did win, I'd still have a chance for the leader's jersey."
A commanding lead on the bell meant the final lap was all about cat-and-mouse - and it was Liv Gollan who proved the craftiest cat of all, coming out the slipstream with 200 metres to go and powering to the line, a comfortable winner ahead of Rhodes and Cowman. The bunch sprint was a close contest, but in the end, courtesy of a sister-act lead-out, Kate Bates took fourth ahead of MacPherson, looking delighted to have claimed overall victory for another year.
"It's hard when you're not a sprinter and you're racing crits, because you've really got to wait for that move to go, and the only way you're going to get in that move is to keep attacking," Gollan explained. "I'm also training pretty hard, thinking of further down the track, and a good hard hit-out is good for me, anyway; the more I attack, the better."
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Rachel Burke/www.maximumattack.biz
- The local police escaped the searing heat being well looked after with Jacobs Creek promo umbrellas.
- This fan was in a league of his own.
- Ashley, Tiffany and Travis warming up in readiness to support competitors with their whistles.
- A seriously scary little race fan, Brayden.
- Trackside VIPs, Century 21 stood out.
- Adjacent to the finish line, local residents had a great view and decorated for the occasion.
- Bridie O'Donnell looked focussed pre-race.
- Series leader, Jenny MacPherson warms up before the race.
- Enjoying a family day out with BYO shade!
- Showing a softer side, the local constabulary enjoyed the crowd support.
- A lot of spectators braved the 42 plus degree weather and rode to support the Women's Criterium riders.
- And they're off in race 3 of The Advertiser Women's Criterium Series at beautiful Snapper Point, Aldinga.
- Getting things under way on lap one.
- Kate Bates, sister Natalie Bates and Jessie Maclean round the corner.
- Kate Nichols sets her sight on chasing the breakaway.
- Jenny MacPherson leads the way with the crowd urging her on.
- The chasing bunch watches on as Alex Rhodes makes a break for it.
- Alexis Rhodes powers up.
- Olivia Gollan up front and working hard with Sallyanne Cowman right behind.
- Amanda Spratt keeping an eye on the opposition.
- Natalie Bates feeling the heat.
- Sallyanne Cowman and Olivia Gollan, with Alexis Rhodes in hot pursuit.
- Local favourite, Alexis Rhodes.
- Leaning into the corner, Kate Mercer.
- Looking strong, Olivia Gollan.
- Sallyanne Cowman swings through the corner watched by a big crowd of spectators.
- Sallyanne Cowman worked hard at the front of the breakaway bunch.
- Kate Nichols takes a turn.
- Alena Radomsky dropped by the bunch had to work alone.
- Olivia Gollan struggled to keep her sunglasses due to the high temperatures during the race.
- As the temperature soared, the chasing bunch worked together.
- The chasing bunch lead by Jessie Maclean.
- The finish line in sight.
- Victory in race 3 goes to Olivia Gollan.
- Ecstatic after her win in today's third race.
- Kate Bates and Jenny MacPherson take the lead in the sprint to the line.
- Pain evident on the race of Olivia Gollan, dismounting her bike after the race.
- Catching her breath, Olivia Gollan recounts her race under extremely demanding conditions.
- Enjoying a well deserved cold drink!
- Wiping the sweat from her brow, Jenny MacPherson.
- Jenny MacPherson punches the air after being told she has taken out overall victory in the 2006 Advertiser Women's Criterium Series.
- Olivia Gollan talks about the tactics which saw her take out 1st place in today's race.
- Jenny MacPherson congratulates Olivia Gollan on her victory in today's third race.
- A birds-eye view of the race - the best seat!
Images by CJ Farquarson/www.womenscycling.net
- Something fishy going on at the Bay
- Series leader, Jenny Macpherson (VIS) looked relaxed before the start
- The race rolls out for 30 hot minutes of racing
- Bridget Evans (Fast-Practice Bicycle.com) strings out the bunch, chased by Natalie Bates (AA Drink)
- Jenny Macpherson (VIS) turns onto the long finishing straight
- Commentator, Katie Brown, interviews race winner, Olivia Gollan (Nobili Rubinetterie)
- Gollan (Nobili Rubinetterie) contemplates her answer to the question 'Was it hot out there?'
- Jenny Macpherson (VIS) shows off the special trophy presented by the Willunga community
- Jenny Macpherson (VIS) puts her foot down
- Jessie Maclean (ACT), active all series, is chased by Macpherson (VIS) at the front of the bunch
- Olivia Gollan (Nobili Rubinetterie) and Sally Cowman (NSWIS) on the beautiful ride up to the finish line
- The bunch in pursuit of the leaders
- Phillipa Read (St Kilda) working hard to stay in touch with the bunch
- Olivia Gollan (Nobili Rubinetterie) celebrates her win
- Kate Bates (Équipe Nürnberger) beat Jenny Macpherson (VIS) in the bunch sprint for fourth
Results
1 Olivia Gollan (NSW) 40 pts 2 Alexis Rhodes (SA) Norwood 38 3 Sallyanne Cowman (Qld) 36 4 Kate Bates (NSW) 34 5 Jenny MacPherson (Vic) Carnegie Caufield 32 6 Bridget Evans (Qld) Fast-Practice Bicycle.com 30 7 Kate Nichols (NSW) 28 8 Amanda Spratt (NSW) 26 9 Vicki Eustace (ACT) Canberra 24 10 Hannah Banks (Qld) Uni of Queensland 22 11 Natalie Bates (NSW) 20 12 Tiffany Cromwell (SA) Norwood 18 13 Kate Mercer (Qld) Uni of Queensland 16 14 Belinda Diprose (NSW) Lidcombe Auburn 14 15 Nicole Magner (Qld) Uni of Queensland 12 16 Emma Mackie (Qld) Uni of Queensland 10 17 Nicole Whitburn (SA) 8 18 Sheba Farrin (SA) Hub Racing 6 19 Leeanne Manderson (WA) Northern Districts 4 20 Carlee Taylor (SA) Norwood 2 Final overall standings 1 Jenny MacPherson (Vic) Carnegie Caufield 110 pts 2 Sallyanne Cowman (Qld) 98 3 Bridget Evans (Qld) Fast-Practice Bicycle.com 96 4 Olivia Gollan (NSW) 90 5 Kate Nichols (NSW) 86 6 Kate Bates (NSW) 76 7 Alexis Rhodes (SA) Norwood 72 8 Natalie Bates (NSW) 66 9 Vicki Eustace (ACT) Canberra 62 10 Emma Mackie (Qld) Uni of Queensland 62 11 Amanda Spratt (NSW) 58 12 Kate Mercer (Qld) Uni of Queensland 58 13 Hannah Banks (Qld) Uni of Queensland 56 14 Tiffany Cromwell (SA) Norwood 50 15 Belinda Diprose (NSW) Lidcombe Auburn 34 16 Jessica Maclean (ACT) 32 17 Nicole Magner (Qld) Uni of Queensland 28 18 Leeanne Manderson (WA) Northern Districts 28 19 Nicole Whitburn (SA) 22 20 Lousie Kerr (Qld) Uni of Queensland 20 21 Sheba Farrin (SA) Hub Racing 18 22 Carlee Taylor (SA) Norwood 16 23 Emma Gaul (Vic) Footscray 14 24 Phillippa Read (Vic) St Kilda 8
