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Australian Open Road Championships - CN
Ballarat, Australia, January 9-January 12, 2008
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Stage 2 - January 9: Elite women's time trial, 28 km
O'Donnell shows her engine
By Paul Verkuylen in Ballarat, Victoria
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Two years ago Bridie O'Donnell recorded the fastest amateur women's time split for the Hawaii Ironman, before answering a call for an Australia talent identification program titled Women with Big Engines. Since then, the 33 year-old has been working toward her goal of representing Australia at the Beijing Olympic Games this August and today she came one step closer by winning the Women's Elite Time Trial title, her first national title.
"I was a rower for six years and then I did the Hawaii Ironman and a couple of ironman triathlons in 2006 before answering this call for a talent identification program at the end of 2006," she explained.
Today O'Donnell showed that her preparations are on track as she came home 15 seconds clear of second placed Sara Carrigan (Qld) and Alexis Rhodes (S.A.), who both finished within a second of one another. "It's been pretty challenging and coming from nowhere; I had to prove myself," explained O'Donnell. "I went to Europe in September to race the Chrono Champenois and the Chrono des Nations in France. I did that because I wanted to show the national selectors that I could perform well internationally."
"The risk paid off," added the Victorian.
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O'Donnell's results in the French races surely raised the Australia selectors' eyebrows, as she rode well to secure seventh at Chrono Champenois and second in Chrono des Nations. Despite her brilliant performance in the Elite Women's race, O'Donnell was four kilometres per hour slower than the average required for automatic Olympic selection, a mark that Victorian institute of Sport coach Dave Sanders had described as "probably too much to expect", prior to the event.
Olympic road champion Carrigan was happy with her second place after a tough race. "I felt pretty good; I have put a lot of work in over the past few months, I've really targeted the Time Trial," said the top Queenslander. "It's something that I want to do at Beijing. It's a bit disappointing to not be on the top spot, but I gave everything."
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Carrigan was another rider who emphasized the challenge presented by the course and believes that it's definitely one where riders cannot bluff their way through. "Whoever has done the work is going to be on the podium," she explained.
Australian cycling stalwart Kathy Watt proved once again that she can still be competitive when she finished fourth, after almost missing her start time as she was still warming up.
Other notable performances came from Oenone Wood, who fell from the start house and was awarded a few minutes grace as she composed herself, eventually starting last. Wood's time, just under one and a half minutes slower than that of O'Donnell, shows that she and Team High Road team-mate Rhodes are in good shape for the Elite Women's Road Race on Saturday.
In the Under 23 Women's event, which was held with the Elite race, former junior points race world champion Amanda Spratt powered to the title. Her time of 43.03 placed her eighth overall and holds her in good stead for a stellar career in the future. Louise Kerr (Qld) rode a great race to finish second, with youngster Katherine Baker (ACT) clinching third.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com
- Oenone Wood from the Australian Capital Territory looking to find some form heading into the Beijing Olympics later this year
- An exhausted Bridie O'Donnell is congratulated by support staff after winning gold
- The Women's Under 23 podium (L-R): Louise Kerr (2nd, Queensland), Amanda Spratt (1st, New South Wales), and Katherine Baker (3rd, Australian Capital Territory)
- Well I know it's the Summer Series of Cycling here in Australia and thongs are the go on the podium!
- Bridie O'Donnell from Melbourne powers her way to gold in the Women's National Time Trial race in Buninyong
- Natalie Bates from New South Wales in her ride against the clock on the back roads of Buninyong
- Kathy Watt from Melbourne gives her all on the roads of Buninyong
- Alexis Rhodes from South Australia rides towards a bronze medal in Buninyong
- Bridie O'Donnell (L) is congratulated by 2007 Time Trial Champion Carla Ryan
- The podium spray is fun! (L-R): Sara Carrigan (2nd, Queensland), Bridie O'Donnell (1st, Victoria), and Alexis Rhodes (3rd, South Australia)
Images by WomensCycling.Net
- Katherine Baker (ACT) was third in the under 23 race
- Queenslander Louise Kerr was second behind Amanda Spratt in the under 23 race
- Amanda Spratt (NSW) changes gear on the climb as she rides to U23 victory
- Vicki Whitelaw (ACT) was fifth overall
- Kathy Watt (VIC) attacks the climb on her way to fourth
- Sara Carrigan (QLD) out of the saddle on the climb away from the start
- Bridie O'Donnell (VIC) looked powerful right out of the start gate
- Alexis Rhodes (SA) powers to the finish and a bronze medal
- The under 23 podium: Louise Kerr, Amanda Spratt, Katherine Baker
- Bridie O'Donnell salutes the crowd , applauded by Sara Carrigan in the background
Images by John Veage
- Bridie O'Donnell powers away from the start
- Bridie O'Donnell at the finish
- Birdie O'Donnell is excited about her new recovery snack
- A rider in the women's TT is watched by a man and his dog
- Alexis Rhodes in cruise mode.
- Sara Carrigan speeds down the highway
- The U23 women's podium with winner Amanda Spratt
Results
1 Bridie O'Donnell (VIC) 41.41 (40.303 km/h) 2 Sara Carrigan (QLD) 0.14 3 Alexis Rhodes (SA) 0.15 4 Kathryn Watt (VIC) 0.37 5 Vicki Whitelaw (ACT) 0.55 6 Natalie Bates (NSW) 1.16 7 Carla Ryan (QLD) 1.20 8 Amanda Spratt* (NSW) 1.23 9 Oenone Wood (ACT) 1.28 10 Jocelyn Loane (QLD) 3.13 11 Toireasa Gallagher (NSW) 3.18 12 Jane Despas (NSW) 3.23 13 Louise Kerr* (QLD) 3.49 14 Stephanie Frawley (SA) 3.51 15 Kerry Knowler (ACT) 3.57 16 Katherine Baker* (ACT) 4.13 17 Carlee Taylor* (SA) 4.15 18 Jackie Prentice (VIC) 4.17 19 Nicole Whitburn (VIC) 4.47 20 Peta Mullens (VIC) 4.54 21 Helen Griffiths (QLD) 5.01 22 Nikki Egyed (QLD) 5.08 23 Jemma O'brien (NSW) 5.24 24 Sarah Roy* (NSW) 5.40 25 Davina Summers (WA) 5.53 26 Carly Hibberd (QLD) 5.59 27 Rachel Neylan (SA) 6.21 28 Rebecca Armstrong (WA) 6.42 29 Liz Young (QLD) 6.58 30 Tahlia Paskin* (QLD) 7.14 31 Loren Rowney* (QLD) 7.16 32 Rebecca Bannon (SA) 7.39 33 Lisa Payne (SA) 8.03 34 Kate Finegan (NSW) 8.26 35 Olivia Pilla (SA) 8.56 36 Rebecca Thyne* (NT) 8.57 37 Kira Mason* (SA) 9.01 38 Caitlin Deckert* (SA) 9.05 39 Nicole Keily (QLD) 9.42 40 Jacqui Hickey (ACT) 10.43 *Denotes Under 23 rider
