Australian Open Road Championships - CN

Ballarat, Australia, January 9-January 12, 2008

Photography

Stage 6 - January 13: Elite men's road race, 163.2 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• On the startline for the 2008 National Open Men's Road Race.
• A breakaway in the distance early into the 163.2 km race.
• Tom Southam and Chris Jongewaard (L) lead the breakaway up Mt. Buninyong.
• 2008 National Men's Open Road Champion Matthew Lloyd (Silence-Lotto) bites into an event sponsor.
• Aussie cycling star Michael Rogers makes some final adjustments prior to the road race.
• Scott Davis from Queensland in a relaxed mood before the race.
• Stuart Shaw from the Australian Capital Territory grabs a coffee break in the team tent.
• Retired Aussie rider Matt White (right) chats with Trent Lowe and Chris Sutton (centre) before the race.
• Craig McCartney from Victoria descends ahead of the leading group.
• The leading group on the climb up the Midland Highway.
• The peloton on the climb up Mt. Buninyong.
• Jonathon Clarke from Victoria in an aero dynamic position descending into Buninyong.
• Matthew Lloyd from Victoria looks for extra speed on the descent into the home-straight.
• The Flemish flag in the background was again in action on the road up Mt. Buninyong.
• Peter McDonald leads Matt Hayman and Mark Renshaw out of the home-straight and onto the Midland Highway.
• (L-R): Menzies, Bates, Sutherland, Gerrans, Pollock, and Cooke: Aussie talent all over the road.
• The peloton head up the Midland Highway in search of leading riders.
• The pace was so hot Peter McDonald (centre) poured some water on his trip computer.
• Vintage stuff: Three riders forced the pace in the later stages of the race: Scott Davis, Nathan Jones and Robert Hodgson.
• Feeling the pinch (L-R): Scott Davis, Nathan Jones and Robert Hodgson on the climb up the Midland Highway.
• Three became four: Nathan Jones welcomes Matthew Lloyd to the lead group.
• Four became three: Robert Hodgson drops off the lead group on the Midland Highway.
• Three became two: Nathan Jones released the tape and left Scott Davis and Matthew Lloyd out the front.
• Two became one: Lloyd simply rode clear of Davis on the climb up Mt. Buninyong.
• You're number one Matty! A Commissaire lets Matthew Lloyd know which is his spot on the podium.
• The view Matthew Lloyd had approaching the finish-line in Buninyong with a lap to go.
• Lloyd corners out of the home-straight before a huge crowd.
• Lloyd on the final time up Mt. Buninyong before descending into the finish.
• Matthew Lloyd (Silence-Lotto) salutes the crowd on the line to take gold in the Men's Open Road Race.
• A pumped Lloyd was never going to be caught after leaving the field for dead on the roads around Buninyong.
• Lloyd rolls towards a sensational crowd after the finish-line in Buninyong.
• Tom Southam zips up his Ballarat Courier King of the Mountains jersey.
• Chris Jongewaard took out the Mars Sprint Points competition in the road race.
• Matthew Lloyd is showered with champers by Adam Hansen (L) and Rory Sutherland.
• Runner-up Adam Hansen finds another way for Matty Lloyd to drink the champers.
• Hard work but relief for Matthew Lloyd after winning gold and the National Road Champion's jersey.
• The champagne bottle is empty but I'm tipping the drinks would still be flowing well into the night.
• William Walker from Victoria made an attempt tp bridge the gap to the leaders with Peter McDonald and Mark Renshaw.

Images by WomensCycling.net

• The bunch climbs on the second lap. The Midland Highway out of Buninyong is already lined with spectators.
• Scott Davis (Team High Road) was in the early break.
• One of the pre-race favourites: Will Walker (Rabobank) in the bunch.
• The break stayed away for many laps, driven here by Robert Hodgson.
• Hodgson leads eventual winner, Matthew Lloyd (Silence-Lotto) through the start/finish area with two laps (20km) to go.
• Lloyd (Silence-Lotto) passes through the start/finish area with 10km to go and over a minute on the chasers.
• Tom Southam (A&I Helicopters) won the King of the Mountains jersey.
• A punch in the air by winner: Matthew Lloyd (Silence Lotto).
• After an understated victory salute, Lloyd celebrates almost privately in front of huge crowds.
• Trent Wilson (Jittery Joes) offers a pat on the back to breakaway rider, Scott Davis (Team High Road).
• Tom Southam won the King of the Mountains jersey.
• Chris Jongewaard won the sprints competition.
• The podium (L-R): Adam Hansen (High Road), Matthew Lloyd (Silence-Lotto) and Rory Sutherland (HealthNet-Maxxis).
• Playtime...

Stage 5 - January 12: Elite women's road race, 102 km

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Images by John Veage

• Oenone Wood (Team High Road) takes the win.
• Oenone Wood (Team High Road) tops the podium.
• The women start the day's racing.
• Sara Carrigan (Queensland Academy of Sport) throws down an attack.
• The attacking move.
• Oenone Wood (Team High Road) pleased with the day.

Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• 2007 Road Race Champion Katie Mactier focuses on the startline for her 2008 assault
• Kathy Watt on the top of Mt.Buninyong trying to bridge the gap to a leading group
• Cyclingnews reporter Paul Verkuylen on the back of the SRAM Neutral Spares bike
• Mars is a major sponsor of the Championships and the fans were keen for their product after presentations
• 2008 Road Race Champion Oenone Wood on the phone with another media commitment
• Oenone Wood signs a fans jersey after claiming gold in Buninyong
• The peloton corner at the top of the course before descending back into Buninyong
• Ruth Corset, left, of Queensland and Amanda Spratt from New South Wales opened up a lead on the rest of just over one minute
• Riders begin to struggle on Mt.Buninyong in the concluding laps of the women's road race
• Kathy Watt (far left) tries to tack on to the wheels of Alexis Rhodes, Natalie Bates and Katie Mactier
• Sara Carrigan from Queensland descends into Buninyong and towards another Championship medal
• Oenone Wood keeps in touch with supports staff whilst on the roads of Buninyong
• Sharon Laws stocks up on the energy levels in the leading group
• Natalie Bates leads the chasing group onto Mt.Buninyong road in search of the leaders
• Sharon Laws looks for more speed on the road into Buninyong in search of a podium finish
• The lead group head under the banner in Buninyong in the concluding stages of the race
• Tiffany Cromwell from South Australia riding towards a podium place in the women's under 23 section
• Lorian Graham (right) and Oenone Wood increase the tempo on the climb up Mt.Buninyong with two laps remaining
• The winning move is made on Mt.Buninyong on the final lap with Oenone Wood (left) and Sharon Laws setting the pace
• Oenone Wood from the Australian Capital Territory wins gold in Buninyong
• It's champagne shower time (L-R): Tiffany Cromwell (2nd), Carlee Taylor (1st), and Grace Sulzberger (3rd) for the under 23 section
• Tiffany Cromwell (L) gives Carlee Taylor a spray on the podium
• Oenone Wood salutes the crowd to the applause of Sharon Laws (L) and Sara Carrigan
• The women's podium (L-R): Sharon Laws (2nd), Oenone Wood (1st), and Sara Carrigan (3rd)

Stage 4 - January 12: U23 men's road race, 122.4 km

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Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• They're away in the Men's Under 23 road race at the 2008 Australian Open Road Cycling Championships in Buninyong.
• The race came to a halt after a pile-up on the first lap and the field were ordered to wait for riders to re-join the peloton.
• Simon Clarke and Matt King riding for the South Australia.com/AIS outfit kicked clear of the rest in the concluding laps.
• Simon Clarke cools down after winning gold in the Men's Under 23 Road Race in Buninyong.
• Simon Clarke (121) in congratulated by Matt King as third-place getter Mark O'Brien clears his throat.
• Big wheels rollin': A rider makes some adjustments prior to the Men's Under 23 race in Buninyong.
• Pick the odd one out: Riders line up for registration at the Buninyong library.
• At work in the Drapac Porsche tent prior to the Men's Under 23 road race in Buninyong.
• Drapac Porsche had support from all walks of life in Buninyong.
• Riders corner at the top of Mt.Buninyong during the Men's Under 23 road race.
• Getting a helping hand after an early pile-up on the first lap .
• SRAM Neutral Support staff help out a rider after the first lap pile-up.
• Swapping wheels before racing got too serious in the Men's Under 23 road race.
• The peloton take another quick break and wait for the race to re-group.
• Dean Windsor and Adam Semple got clear of the field on the fourth lap.
• All kinds of wheels: (l-r) Pip Grinter, Tim Guy and Hayden Josefski give chase to the leading duo.
• The peloton head towards the climb almost two minutes behind Windsor and Semple.
• The peloton were happy to let the leaders hang out the front with a three-man group in-between.
• Reaching for bidons: The leading pair of Adam Semple (left) and Dean Windsor feeling thirsty out in front.
• I'll take that thanks: SouthAustralia.com/AIS's Adam Semple grabs a cool drink-bidon from support staff.
• Here come the charges: SouthAustralia.com/AIS begin to lay down the law with Travis Meyer leading the charge.
• The catch: Time to clean the shades and grab a bit to eat as leaders Dean Windsor and Adam Semple are reeled in.
• Dean Windsor and Mark O'Brien of Drapac Porsche were going as fast as a big red truck up the Midland Highway in Buninyong.
• Simon Clarke and Matt King of the SouthAustralia.com/AIS team took the race by the scruff of the neck with three laps to go.
• Simon Clarke wins gold and teammate Matt King shows his joy before a great crowd in Buninyong.
• Dean Windsor rode a sensational, gutsy ride, and took out the Mars Sprint Points Champion jersey.
• The 2008 Men's Under 23 podium: Matt King 2nd (SA.com/AIS), Simon Clarke 1st (SA.com/AIS), and Mark O'Brien 3rd (Drapac Porsche) (l-r).

Images by John Veage

• Simon Clarke (South Australia.com-AIS) takes the win.
• Simon Clarke (South Australia.com-AIS) showing his relief after winning.
• The start of the men's under 23 race.
• Simon Clarke and Matt King of South Australia.com/AIS kicked clear of the rest in the concluding laps.
• The race rolling along.

Stage 3 - January 10: Elite men's time trial, 39 km

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Images by John Veage

• Adam Hansen (Team High Road) powering towards the finish line.
• Queensland's Adam Hansen (Team High Road) couldn't be stopped on the course, going nearly a minute faster than second place.
• Rory Sutherland (HealthNet-Maxxis) gave his all but came home in second place for the third time.
• The Australian Capital Territory's Rory Sutherland (HealthNet-Maxxis) took second place.
• Ben Day (Toyota-United) was one of the favourites, and claimed third place.
• Slip, slop, slap: Spectators did their best to keep cool as the mercury rose to 40 degrees.
• The only thing on fire in Victoria today was Adam Hansen's blistering time.
• Adam Hansen (Team High Road) was delighted with his first Australian national title.
• Podium (L-R): Rory Sutherland (HealthNet-Maxxis), Adam Hansen (Team High Road) and Ben Day (Toyota-United).

Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• Moto-Commissaire Laurie Noonan checks bike measurements in the measuring machines tent.
• Robbie Williams warms up in the shade in 30 degree plus heat in Buninyong.
• Chris Jongewaard from South Australia awaits his ride against the clock in the pit area.
• Bum up, head down on the back-roads of Buninyong.
• Adam Hansen from Queensland takes a well earned drink after claiming gold in Buninyong.
• Wow these Championships are great!: Silver medallist Rory Sutherland.
• Thumbs up: Gold medallist Adam Hansen.
• James Steinhauser begins his ride against the clock in the 39km Men's Open Time-Trial.
• Joshua Wilson watches Praties team-mate Richie Porte corner out of the home-straight in Buninyong.
• Adam Hansen tries the no-hands approach early into his ride against the clock.
• Cameron Wurf from Tasmania was one of the pre-race fancies and gave is all over the 39 kilometres.
• Pre-race favourite Ben Day from Queensland climbs his way out of Buninyong.
• David Pell from Victoria gasps for air on the early kilometres of his time trial.
• Gavin Nicholls in action during the Men's Open Time-Trial Championship in Buninyong.
• Up close and personal with Gavin Nicholls during his ride against the clock.
• Robbie Williams from New South Wales powers his way towards the finish to the time-trial in Buninyong.
• Two differing time-trial positions: James Steinhauser (L) and Michael Stallard keep each other company on the roads around Buninyong.
• Rory Sutherland has got the taste for a silver medal at the Championships.
• Which hat can I hit?: Tasmanian Richie Porte descends into the finish in Buninyong.
• Adam Hansen speeds into the finish and a gold medal at the Championships.
• A lighter moment on the podium: (L-R) Rory Sutherland, Adam Hansen and Ben Day enjoy themselves with the champers.
• Cheers to the gold medallist: Adam Hansen drinks to a gold medal at the 2008 Australian Open Road Cycling Championships.
• A champion commentator and a champion cyclist: Phil Liggett (L) and Adam Hansen speak with media on the podium.

Stage 2 - January 9: Elite women's time trial, 28 km

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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

Stage 1 - January 9: U23 men's time trial, 28 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

• Ricky Peoples from Shepparton awaits his ride against the clock in Buninyong
• Matt King releases the champers on the podium after claiming gold in the Men's Under 23 National Time Trial
• Matt King from the Northern Territory can read up on his gold medal ride in Buninyong
• Kevin Harnett from South Australia powers out of the starting gate in the Men's Under 23 Time Trial Championship
• Benjamin King from Western Australia grabs a last minute drink before his ride against the clock
• Hayden Josefski from Queensland straps in for his Time Trial in Buninyong
• Jack Anderson from Queensland out of the saddle on a small rise out the back of Buninyong
• Miles Olman from Queensland in his new fast-red outfit of Drapac Porsche
• Matt King powering out of the saddle and towards gold in Buninyong
• It was hot in Buninyong but a dip in the pond was far from Victorian Zak Dempster's mind
• Matt King drives it home in the final kilometres of the Men's Under 23 Time Trial
• The Men's Under 23 Time Trial podium (L-R): Benjamin King (2nd, Western Australia), Matt King (1st, Northern Territory), and Travis Meyer (3rd, Western Australia)
• A Mars a day helps Benjamin King work rest and play - and win a silver medal at the Australian Open Road Cycling Championships
• Anyone for a Mars bar?

Images by John Veage

• Matt King (Darwin Cycling Club) rides to victory in the U23 Men's Time Trial.
• Australia is in bloom in January
• This is what a good time trial looks like - sheer agony.
• Matt King powers to victory in the U23 TT
• Matt King gets a fresh kit after winning the U23 TT
• King climbs out of town