Australian Open Road Championships - CN

Ballarat, Australia, January 11-14, 2007

Photography

Stage 6 - January 14: Elite men's road race, 163.2 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

Darren Lapthorne (Drapac Porsche) gives his all on the final lap up Mt.Buninyong
They're away in the 2007 Open Men's Road Race Championship in Buninyong Victoria
Darren Lapthorne (Drapac Porsche) gives the thumbs-up after winning the 2007 Open Men's Road Race Championship in Buninyong
On the podium are (L-R): Robert McLachlan (Drapac Porsche,2nd) Darren Lapthorne (Drapac Porsche,1st), and Karl Menzies (Health Net,3rd)
Darren Lapthorne (Drapac Porsche) laps it up on the podium before a huge crowd in Buninyong
Riders make their way around the top of the course on Mt.Buninyong
Nathan O'Neil (Health Net) leads Chris Jongewaard (Jittery Joes) and Simon Gerrans (Ag2r Prevoyance) in the early break that was looking dangerous
The voice of cycling, Phil Liggett, has been signing plenty of autographs since arriving down under
Cycling Australia President, Michael Victor (right) and Chief Executive Officer Graham Fredericks at the 2007 Australian Open Road Cycling Championships in Buninyong
Darren Lapthorne (Drapac Porsche) powers the leaders out of the shade beneath the trees descending Mt.Buninyong
The lead group approach the Midland Highway turn-off where Darren Lapthorne (Drapac Porsche) made his move in the concluding laps
Darren Lapthorne (Drapac Porsche) is about to get the bell-lap before huge crowds in the home straight at Buninyong
Lapthorne climbs Mt.Buninyong for the last time with the chase group in the distance
Darren 'Lappers' Lapthorne (Drapac Porsche) has been improving with every race and gets his reward in Buninyong with a Gold Medal and National jersey

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

the field line up for 163.2km off racing.
The 110 strong field leaving pictuesque Bunninyong.
Nathan O'Neill (QLD) lead the early break.
Karl Menzies (TAS) was one of the days favourites.
Henk Vogels (WA) in his new teams colours.
The drapac-Posche boys working on the front of the main bunch.
Rory Sutherland (ACT) was also on the front .
Half way through the race the field was diminishing.
Simmon Gerrans (VIC) lost touch with the leaders after being caught.
Matt Wilson (VIC) and Baden Cooke (VIC) attempting to catch the leaders late in the race.
It was anyones guess as to who would win with 3 laps to go.
Darren Lapthorne (VIC) with one lap to go.
A huge crowd was there to witness the race today.
Darren Lapthorne (VIC) celebrates a memorable win.
Darren Lapthorne (VIC) had his teammates there to watch his win.
Robert McLachlan (ACT) celebrates his second place.
Darren Lapthorne (VIC) directly afte rthe race.
Darren Lapthorne (VIC) passes the applauding crowd on his way to the podium.
Darren Lapthorne (VIC) soaks in the crowds applause.
The final podium.
Darren Lapthorne (VIC) Australia's new Road Cycling Champion.

Stage 5 - January 13: Elite women's road race, 102 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

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

Katie Mactier (VIC) and Amanda Spratt (NSW) enjoy a joke at the start line.
Lorian Graham (QLD) looking serious at the start line.
The girls make there way out of town.
Louise Kerr (QLD) on her solo break.
Tiffany Cromwell (SA) leads the chase.
Louise Kerr (QLD) was looking strong.
Katie Mactier (VIC) in the bunch.
Sara Carrigan (QLD) stayed pretty quiet till the last lap.
Bridie O'Donnell (VIC) shows the strain.
Jenny Fay (Irl) had a go to bridge the gap.
Girls were getting dropped late in the race.
Lorian Graham (QLD) and Olivia Gollan (NSW) in the bunch.
Katie Mactier (VIC) and Lorian Graham (QLD) working on the front.
Natalie Bates (NSW) was the first to attack at the base of the climb on the final lap.
The sprint to the line.
Louise Kerr (QLD) accepting the sprinters prize.
Podium time for the top three
It was time to let the winners let there hair down.

Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

A tangle of riders after a crash in the Women's Open Road Race in Buninyong
Kate Mercer (right, Queensland Institute of Sport) was a little worse for wear after riders came down in the Wome's Open Road Race

Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

Champagne celebrations on the podium
Waiting to start in Buninyong
No European-style painting names on the road here!
Jenny Fay from Northern Ireland jumped in the gap between Louise Kerr and the bunch
Katie Mactier leads the bunch in pursuit of Fay and Kerr
Emma Rickards in the bunch
The new Champion winks at her supporters from the podium
Helen Griffiths attacked on the second lap and led up the hill
The sprint is on
Katie Mactier about to take the honours from Nikki Egyed and Emma Rickards

Stage 4 - January 13: U23 men's road race, 122.4 km

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

Nathan Earle (TAS) prepares for the race with Grandma looking on.
the U23 men takes off for 122.4km of racing.
Zak Dempster (VIC) went on an early lone attack to shack things up.
The pace was fast early on in the race.
the peloton at the highest point of the course.
Michael Ford (VIC) working out front.
the main break of the day make there way up Mt Bunninyong.
Shaun Lewis (SA) and Mitchell Pearson (NSW) try to bridge the gap.
the main group in action.
Pip Grinter (VIC) in action.
the biys working hard to catch the leading trio.
Brendan Brooks (NSW) out the front of the break.
Dean Windsor (NSW) on hios own amongst th eSouth Australia.com boys.
Wes Sulzberger (TAS) on the attack with two laps to go.
Cameron Meyer (WA) puts in an effort to catch Sulzberger.
Wes Sulzberger (TAS) and Cameron Meyer (WA) with one lap to go.
Dueling bikies.
Wes Sulzberger (TAS) takes the win.
Wes Sulzberger (TAS) directly after his win.
Wes Sulzberger (TAS) answers some questions while Cameron Meyer (WA) has a drink while waiting for the podium.
Wes Sulzberger (TAS) makes his way to the podium.
Wes Sulzberger (TAS) accepts the crowds applause.
Wes Sulzberger (TAS) in the media spotlight.

Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

South Australia.com team-mechanic, Nick, works on Wes Sulzberger's new Euro-Pro Teschner before the race
Wes Sulzberger with his winning bike - South Australia.com's new Euro Pro Teschner bikes in Buninyong
The Australian National Road Championships are going absolutely ballistic! Paul Sherwen where are you?
The South Australia.com team were a force in the Men's Under 23 Road Race in Buninyong
Robbie Williams (Drapac Porsche) leads the main field up Mt.Buninyong early into the race
Snapping an early break on Mt.Buninyong
Mitch Pearson (NSWIS) and Shaun Lewis (South Australia.com) try to bridge a gap to the leaders
Dean Windsor (Drapac Porsche, second from left) is caught up in a South Australia.com sandwich in the Men's Under 23 race
And the winning move is made - Wes Sulzberger (South Australia.com) attacks on the climb up Mt.Buninyong
Wes Sulzberger from Flowery Gully in Northern Tasmania on the climb up the Midland Highway
Sulzberger looks back to see team-mate Cameron Meyer giving chase and the fragments of the leader in the distance
And then there were two…Wes Sulzberger is joined by team-mate Cameron Meyer in search of a South Australia.com one-two
A South Australian team is watched by a South Australian team on the climb up the Midland Highway on the last lap

Stage 3 - January 12: Elite men's time trial, 39 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

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

Rory Sutherland (ACT) with handlebar problems at the inspection.
Tony Mann (NSW) waits for his bike during inspection.
Brent Miller (ACT) finished in 17th place.
Marcus Wettenhall (Vic) makes his way up the first climb.
Peter McDonald (NSW) finished in 8th, 4 minutes down on O'Neill.
Rory Sutherland (ACT) showing some good form.
David Pell (Vic) riding into 3rd place.
Mark Jamieson (Tas) riding to 5th.
Peter Herzig (Qld) giving his all up the opening climb.
Peter Milostic (NSW) would have been disappointed with his 10th place.
Nathan O'Neill (Qld) looking powerful as usual.
Tony Mann (NSW) comes into the finish area.
Peter McDonald (NSW) enters the finish area.
Mark Jamieson (Tas) on his nice machine.
Nathan O'Neill (Qld) on his way to a course record.
Troy Glennan (NSW) finishing in 9th.
Rory Sutherland (ACT) and David Pell (VIC) chat after the race.
Nice one mate.
The podium during the National Anthem.
Nathan O'Neill (Qld) 8 times Australian TT champion.
Nathan O'Neill (Qld) signing some autographs.
Cameron Wurf from Tasmania managed a highly impressive fourth place in his first ever TT.

Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

Specialized at the 2007 Australian Open Road Cycling Championships.
Marcus Wettenhall from Victoria leaves the starting-gate in the Men's Open Road Time Trial Championship.
A helmet built for speed... Nathan O'Neil awaits his call-up for the ride against the clock.
Mark Jamieson from Tasmania in action during the Men's Open Road Time Trial in Buninyong.
Peter Hatton from New South Wales takes a deep breath before his ride against the clock.
Hey Rory! You ready to go? Rory Sutherland from the ACT in the starting gate.
Nathan O'Neil from Queensland focuses on the road ahead in Buninyong.
Nathan O'Neil, hands on and charging towards another gold medal in the Men's Open Road Time Trial Championship.
Mark Jamieson of Tasmania descends towards the finish in Buninyong.
Nathan O'Neil from Queensland wearing his USA Health Net team's kit powers into the finish in Buninyong.
Nathan O'Neil makes his way to the podium to accept another gold medal and National Champion's jersey.

Stage 2 - January 11: Elite women's time trial, 28 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

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

Amanda Spratt (NSW) having her bike checked over
Sarah Roy (NSW) got the OK from the judges
Clare Vlahopoulos (VIC) in picturesque Bunninyong
Carla Ryan (QLD) in action
Kate Nichols (NSW) turns the first corner
Kathy Watt (VIC) was the favourite today
Carla Ryan (QLD) powers into the finish area
Tiffany Cromwell (SA) shows good form
Kathy Watt (VIC) nears the end
Amanda Spratt (NSW) rode well and placed in the U23 Women
the U23 podium
It was an emotional presentation for Carla Ryan (QLD)
Carla Ryan (QLD) a surprise winner today
Carla Ryan (QLD) is guided to the media
It was hot today and a few riders really felt the heat including Vicki Whitelaw (ACT)

Images by CJ Farquharson/www.WomensCycling.net

A supporter cheers as this Queensland rider starts the time trial.
Kathy Watt on her way
A glance to the junction as Carla Ryan approaches the Western Highway
Carla Ryan takes in the enormity of her achievement.
Stephanie Frawley was first off the ramp.
Any shelter from the sun today was appreciated.
Phil Liggett interviews the new Champion.
Two gold medals for Carla Ryan - senior and under 23.
The podium - Kathy Watt, Carla Ryan and Toireasa Gallagher

Stage 1 - January 11: U23 men's time trial, 39 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

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

Jack Anderson (QLD) takes of on his ride.
Hayden Josefski (QLD) looking focused on the starting block
Robert Williams (NSW) prepares for his TT
Zack Dempster (VIC) blasts of the starting ramp.
Miles Olman (QLD) was the last to leave in the U23 men.
Hayden Brooks (QLD) gives his all
matt King (NT) finished a respectable 7th
Hayden Josefski (QLD) nearing the finish line
Zack Dempster (VIC) heading towards a win in the U23 Men
Miles Olman (QLD) could only manage 3rd today
Zack Dempster (VIC) during the national anthem
Zack Dempster (VIC) looking proud in his new jersey

Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

Daniel Braunsteins of Victoria strikes some traffic hassles in Buninyong
The Drapac Porsche team-van keep a close eye on their rider Mark O'Brien in the Men's Under 23 Time-Trial
Men's Under 23 winner, Zak Dempster is interviewed by media after his great win against the clock
How much can a koala bear? Time-trialling near Buninyong
Marylin MacDonald of Victoria has the TV camera fixed on her in Buninyong
Miles Olman from Queensland grits his teeth and powers towards podium finish in the Men's Under 23 National Time-Trial Championship
Zak Dempster from Victoria powers his way onward to a gold medal in the Men's Under 23 Time-Trial Championship
Hayden Josefski from Queensland on his way to a Silver Medal in the Men's Under 23 Time-Trial Championship