Rowney reigns supreme in Geelong

Loren Rowney stands atop the podim after her win on stage 2 of the Honda Hybrid Women's Tour.

Loren Rowney stands atop the podim after her win on stage 2 of the Honda Hybrid Women's Tour. (Image credit: Jayco Herald Sun Tour)

Queenslander Loren Rowney showed what a class cyclist she is dominating the intermediate sprints and storming home in the final lap to upstage tour leader and pre race favourite, Sue Forsyth and Tasmania Emma Lawson to take out Stage 2 of the Honda Hybrid Women's Tour this morning.

It was an early present for Rowney who celebrates her 23rd birthday tomorrow, and she did it in spectacular style not only securing the stage win but defended the green jersey and heads into Stage 3 wearing the Honda Hybrid Women's Tour Red Leaders jersey.

All three podium placers were involved in a crash that brought down 14 riders with just six laps to go.

"I felt really good today, comfortable on the course, I like that technical sort of course. I had no problems on it and pretty much tried to stay top six wheel the whole race. I stayed out of trouble the whole way until six to go and the crash happened right in front of me and I somehow managed to stop," said Rowney.

Today's stage was held at the purpose built criterium circuit in Geelong. The women completed 40 laps over the very technical course testing the girls' skills with world class racing on show.

In the early stages it was the VIS Women's Road Team that dictated the early pace and made it clear they were here to improve their teams position in the general classification following Chloe McConville's second place in the stage yesterday.

Heading up their charge was McConville's team-mate Kendelle Hodges who led.

Team SiS NSW rider Trudy Van Der Straaten was firmly installed at the head of the pack doing a lot of work for tour leader Sue Forsyth who was placed in the top ten for the entire race.

Such was the intensity of the pace the group split after just five laps and the field was reduced to just 33 riders in the lead bunch.

Grace Sulzberger, the National Road Series leader was also doing a mountain of work for her Pure Tasmania & Deloitte team along with Emma Lawson.

Team SASI made their presence felt at the front with Sinead Noonan and Jess Mundy doing their fair share of the work. But as the race unfolded it was clear that Rowney and Forsyth were the one's looking most comfortable in the group.

Rowney continued to chase the sprint points to secure her green jersey. Her strength allows her to go for the long sprint which hurt the other riders.

"Yesterday I got caught up in the final sprint and today I just made sure I was in the right position, cause I know I have a good kick and I just went for it every time. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain," said Rowney.

Forsyth had a go at the first sprint but decided to reserve her energy for the stage win.

At the half way point the Russian Svetlana Boubnenkova decided it was time to make her mark but was short lived and couldn't consolidate anything and the pace dropped off for a few laps.

With just ten laps to go the intensity was once again turned up with Hodges, Van Der Straaten who was the most aggressive rider overall today and the ever present Sulzberger and Nicole Whitburn on the front.

The US rider Melina Bernecker was the first to try an attack, expanding her lead to 9 seconds at one stage but it was the Russian Boyarskaya who led the charge to close it down. With just six laps to go approaching the start/finish area disaster struck when a touch of wheels brought down 14 girls including Rowney and Forsyth.

The incident probably cost Forsyth the win as her handlebars jammed and she was stuck in a high gear for the remainder of the race. All girls rejoined the race after a lap out and the final laps remained cautious.

On the final lap the sprint for the line came at the top of the straight, but Rowney’s strength prevailed over the closing meters to take the win over Forsyth who put in a brave performance to just get over the top of Emma Lawson.

It was a great result for the team and we're really focussed on winning tomorrow, it would be a dream for us to all stand on the podium together," said Rowney.

Despite the fall Forsyth was upbeat about the race and result.

"We just went into it hoping to stay top five knowing it was a technical circuit, my team just did a fantastic job, they were at the front the whole time with the VIS girls trying to work and stretch it out to make it a bit safer.

"It's a crazy circuit, so falls happen. I just didn't have any gears so I was just grinding away hoping I could have a crack at the sprint and wanted to get up there as best I could. We're going to kill it tomorrow in the time trial but I really think the race will unfold at Arthurs Seat," said Forsyth.

Stage 3 of the Tour is the Team Time Trial at Collins Street, Drysdale.

Last year's winner Rochelle Gilmore offered her thoughts about tomorrow's stage.

"I think tomorrow’s team time trial, the third stage of the Honda Hybrid Women’s Tour, adds an interesting element as individuals targeting the tour win really need to depend on their team for a strong ride in the time trial. With strong competition between Rowney and Forsyth, I think the time trial will become even more critical."

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Full Results
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Loren Rowney (Bundaberg Sugar)1:05:43
2Sue Forsyth (Team SiS - NSW)Row 1 - Cell 2
3Emma Lawson (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)Row 2 - Cell 2
4Sinead Noonan (Team SASI)Row 3 - Cell 2
5Chloe Mcconville (VIS Womens Road Team)Row 4 - Cell 2
6Jess Mundy (Team SASI)Row 5 - Cell 2
7Bridget Officer (Xosize)Row 6 - Cell 2
8Melina Bernecker (Team Red)Row 7 - Cell 2
9Kendelle Hodges (VIS Womens Road Team)Row 8 - Cell 2
10Lisa Jacobs (VIS Womens Road Team)Row 9 - Cell 2
11Nicole Whitburn (Team Red)Row 10 - Cell 2
12Grace Sulzberger (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)Row 11 - Cell 2
13Rebecca Werner (Team SASI)Row 12 - Cell 2
14Kate Finegan (TDT Bikeforce RACE Team)Row 13 - Cell 2
15Allison Rice (Suzuki/Trek)Row 14 - Cell 2
16Trudy Van Der Straaten (Team SiS - NSW)Row 15 - Cell 2
17Amy Bradley (Bundaberg Sugar)Row 16 - Cell 2
18Rebecca Wiasak (Suzuki/Trek)Row 17 - Cell 2
19Patricia Palmer (Bundaberg Sugar)Row 18 - Cell 2
20Gracie Elvin (Team Blue)Row 19 - Cell 2
21Svetlana Boubnenkova (Russian National Team)Row 20 - Cell 2
22Miranda Griffiths (Xosize)Row 21 - Cell 2
23Ingrid Trotter (Team Blue)0:00:06
24Laura Meadley (Suzuki/Trek)Row 23 - Cell 2
25India Faehndrich (Team SiS - NSW)Row 24 - Cell 2
26Venera Absaliyamova (Russian National Team)Row 25 - Cell 2
27Georgia Baker (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)Row 26 - Cell 2
28Kayla Salopek (Team SiS - NSW)Row 27 - Cell 2
29Natalia Boyarskaya (Russian National Team)0:01:00
30Katherine Baker (Bundaberg Sugar)0:01:35
31Megan Bagworth (Suzuki/Trek)0:03:10
32Evgenya Romanyuta (Russian National Team)Row 31 - Cell 2
33Hayley Giddens (Team Red)Row 32 - Cell 2
34Katherine O'shea (VIS Womens Road Team)Row 33 - Cell 2
35Ailie Mcdonald (Suzuki/Trek)Row 34 - Cell 2
36Zoe Watters (Bundaberg Sugar)Row 35 - Cell 2
37Sarah Riley (TDT Bikeforce RACE Team)Row 36 - Cell 2
38Liz Georgouras (Team SASI)Row 37 - Cell 2
39Stephanie Ives (Xosize)Row 38 - Cell 2
40Lucy Coldwell (Xosize)Row 39 - Cell 2
41Delphine Astier (TDT Bikeforce RACE Team)Row 40 - Cell 2
42Sarah Cox (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)Row 41 - Cell 2
43Taylah Jennings (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)Row 42 - Cell 2
44Narelle Hards (Team SiS - NSW)Row 43 - Cell 2
45Victoria Kondel (Russian National Team)Row 44 - Cell 2
46Rebecca Stevenson (Nexgen)Row 45 - Cell 2
47Heidi Buntrock (St Kilda Cycling Club)Row 46 - Cell 2
48Justyna Lubkowski (St Kilda Cycling Club)Row 47 - Cell 2
49Philippa Read (St Kilda Cycling Club)Row 48 - Cell 2
50Lauretta Hanson (Team Blue)Row 49 - Cell 2
51Claire Trembath (Nexgen)Row 50 - Cell 2
52Carly Williams (Team Red)Row 51 - Cell 2
53Cassandra Dodd (Nexgen)0:04:55
54Alison Raaymakers (St Kilda Cycling Club)Row 53 - Cell 2
55Stacey Hocking (TDT Bikeforce RACE Team)Row 54 - Cell 2
56Chloe Mcintosh (Team Blue)Row 55 - Cell 2
57Alice Wallett (Team Blue)Row 56 - Cell 2
58Nicole Mcnamara (TDT Bikeforce RACE Team)0:06:30
59Marlena Klaic (St Kilda Cycling Club)Row 58 - Cell 2
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Sprint on Lap 10
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Loren Rowney (Bundaberg Sugar)6pts
2Sue Forsyth (Team SiS - NSW)4Row 1 - Cell 3
3Grace Sulzberger (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)2Row 2 - Cell 3
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Sprint on Lap 30
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Loren Rowney (Bundaberg Sugar)6pts
2Svetlana Boubnenkova (Russian National Team)4Row 1 - Cell 3
3Bridget Officer (Xosize)2Row 2 - Cell 3
Swipe to scroll horizontally
General Classification after Stage 2
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Loren Rowney (Bundaberg Sugar)2:09:39
2Sue Forsyth (Team SiS - NSW)0:00:04
3Chloe Mcconville (VIS Womens Road Team)0:00:16
4Emma Lawson (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)0:00:19
5Nicole Whitburn (Team Red)0:00:20
6Kate Finegan (TDT Bikeforce RACE Team)0:00:21
7Svetlana Boubnenkova (Russian National Team)Row 6 - Cell 2
8Bridget Officer (Xosize)0:00:22
9Grace Sulzberger (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)Row 8 - Cell 2
10Jess Mundy (Team SASI)0:00:23
11Melina Bernecker (Team Red)Row 10 - Cell 2
12Sinead Noonan (Team SASI)Row 11 - Cell 2
13Rebecca Wiasak (Suzuki/Trek)Row 12 - Cell 2
14Lisa Jacobs (VIS Womens Road Team)Row 13 - Cell 2
15Gracie Elvin (Team Blue)Row 14 - Cell 2
16Kendelle Hodges (VIS Womens Road Team)Row 15 - Cell 2
17Allison Rice (Suzuki/Trek)Row 16 - Cell 2
18Patricia Palmer (Bundaberg Sugar)Row 17 - Cell 2
19Rebecca Werner (Team SASI)Row 18 - Cell 2
20Amy Bradley (Bundaberg Sugar)Row 19 - Cell 2
21Miranda Griffiths (Xosize)Row 20 - Cell 2
22Trudy Van Der Straaten (Team SiS - NSW)Row 21 - Cell 2
23India Faehndrich (Team SiS - NSW)0:00:29
24Georgia Baker (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)Row 23 - Cell 2
25Laura Meadley (Suzuki/Trek)Row 24 - Cell 2
26Kayla Salopek (Team SiS - NSW)Row 25 - Cell 2
27Venera Absaliyamova (Russian National Team)Row 26 - Cell 2
28Ingrid Trotter (Team Blue)Row 27 - Cell 2
29Natalia Boyarskaya (Russian National Team)0:01:23
30Katherine Baker (Bundaberg Sugar)0:01:58
31Evgenya Romanyuta (Russian National Team)0:03:31
32Megan Bagworth (Suzuki/Trek)0:03:33
33Lucy Coldwell (Xosize)Row 32 - Cell 2
34Taylah Jennings (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)Row 33 - Cell 2
35Stephanie Ives (Xosize)Row 34 - Cell 2
36Liz Georgouras (Team SASI)Row 35 - Cell 2
37Carly Williams (Team Red)Row 36 - Cell 2
38Ailie Mcdonald (Suzuki/Trek)Row 37 - Cell 2
39Delphine Astier (TDT Bikeforce RACE Team)Row 38 - Cell 2
40Zoe Watters (Bundaberg Sugar)Row 39 - Cell 2
41Katherine O'shea (VIS Womens Road Team)Row 40 - Cell 2
42Claire Trembath (Nexgen)Row 41 - Cell 2
43Sarah Cox (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)Row 42 - Cell 2
44Hayley Giddens (Team Red)Row 43 - Cell 2
45Narelle Hards (Team SiS - NSW)Row 44 - Cell 2
46Sarah Riley (TDT Bikeforce RACE Team)Row 45 - Cell 2
47Heidi Buntrock (St Kilda Cycling Club)Row 46 - Cell 2
48Philippa Read (St Kilda Cycling Club)Row 47 - Cell 2
49Justyna Lubkowski (St Kilda Cycling Club)Row 48 - Cell 2
50Lauretta Hanson (Team Blue)Row 49 - Cell 2
51Victoria Kondel (Russian National Team)Row 50 - Cell 2
52Rebecca Stevenson (Nexgen)Row 51 - Cell 2
53Stacey Hocking (TDT Bikeforce RACE Team)0:05:18
54Cassandra Dodd (Nexgen)Row 53 - Cell 2
55Alice Wallett (Team Blue)Row 54 - Cell 2
56Chloe Mcintosh (Team Blue)Row 55 - Cell 2
57Alison Raaymakers (St Kilda Cycling Club)Row 56 - Cell 2
58Marlena Klaic (St Kilda Cycling Club)0:06:53
59Nicole Mcnamara (TDT Bikeforce RACE Team)Row 58 - Cell 2
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Sprint Championship after Stage 2
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Loren Rowney (Bundaberg Sugar)34pts
2Sue Forsyth (Team SiS - NSW)24Row 1 - Cell 3
3Chloe Mcconville (VIS Womens Road Team)12Row 2 - Cell 3
4Nicole Whitburn (Team Red)6Row 3 - Cell 3
5Emma Lawson (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)6Row 4 - Cell 3
6Evgenya Romanyuta (Russian National Team)4Row 5 - Cell 3
7Svetlana Boubnenkova (Russian National Team)4Row 6 - Cell 3
8Kate Finegan (TDT Bikeforce RACE Team)4Row 7 - Cell 3
9Bridget Officer (Xosize)4Row 8 - Cell 3
10Sinead Noonan (Team SASI)4Row 9 - Cell 3
11Rebecca Wiasak (Suzuki/Trek)4Row 10 - Cell 3
12Grace Sulzberger (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)2Row 11 - Cell 3
Swipe to scroll horizontally
U23 Classification after Stage 2
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Loren Rowney (Bundaberg Sugar)2:09:39
2Emma Lawson (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)0:00:19
3Grace Sulzberger (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)0:00:22
4Jess Mundy (Team SASI)0:00:23
5Sinead Noonan (Team SASI)Row 4 - Cell 2
6Gracie Elvin (Team Blue)Row 5 - Cell 2
7Kendelle Hodges (VIS Womens Road Team)Row 6 - Cell 2
8Allison Rice (Suzuki/Trek)Row 7 - Cell 2
9Rebecca Werner (Team SASI)Row 8 - Cell 2
10Georgia Baker (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)0:00:29
11Kayla Salopek (Team SiS - NSW)Row 10 - Cell 2
12Taylah Jennings (Pure Tasmania & Deloitte)0:03:33
13Ailie Mcdonald (Suzuki/Trek)Row 12 - Cell 2
14Claire Trembath (Nexgen)Row 13 - Cell 2
15Hayley Giddens (Team Red)Row 14 - Cell 2
16Lauretta Hanson (Team Blue)Row 15 - Cell 2
17Rebecca Stevenson (Nexgen)Row 16 - Cell 2
18Stacey Hocking (TDT Bikeforce RACE Team)0:05:18
19Cassandra Dodd (Nexgen)Row 18 - Cell 2
20Alice Wallett (Team Blue)Row 19 - Cell 2
21Chloe Mcintosh (Team Blue)Row 20 - Cell 2
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Teams Classification after Stage 2
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Bundaberg Sugar6:30:06
2VIS Womens Road TeamRow 1 - Cell 2
3Team SASIRow 2 - Cell 2
4Team SiS - NSW0:00:06
5Pure Tasmania & DeloitteRow 4 - Cell 2
6Suzuki/TrekRow 5 - Cell 2
7Russian National Team0:01:06
8Team Red0:03:10
9XosizeRow 8 - Cell 2
10Team Blue0:03:16
11TDT Bikeforce RACE Team0:06:20
12St Kilda Cycling Club0:09:30
13Nexgen0:11:15

 

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Latest on Cyclingnews