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Geelong Women's Tour - 2.2
Australia, February 21-22, 2008
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Stage 2 - February 21: Portarlington road circuit, 75.9 km
Wood too strong
By Paul Verkuylen in Geelong, Victoria
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Oenone Wood (Team High Road) took victory on the Geelong Tour's second stage after outsprinting team-mate Ina Teutenberg and Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung's Regina Schleicher by two bike lengths.
"I was doing the lead out for Ina and she saw a chance for me to get away, so she let me go," a delighted Wood told onlookers as she received her prize for the win.
After a number of attacks throughout the race, with only Serena Sheridan (New Zealand) gaining a substantial gap over the field - spending more than a lap off the front on her own, the race was brought all back together shortly after the peloton began the final of three laps on the circuit. From here the race was controlled by the sprinters' teams as they each tried to set their sprinter up for the first road race of the season.
Wood was, at first, designated as the last rider to lead out Team High Road team sprinter, Teutenberg, but once her German team-mate saw a chance for the American squad to take a one-two on the stage, she quickly became the team's designated winner.
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"The team did a really good job, starting with Alexis with about four kilometres to go," said Wood. "I was just the last person in the lead out before Ina and she let me go and we got first and second. It was a pretty good result for the team.
"Ina is a really experienced rider and often she will have ideas out there, but it's really any rider in our team that sees an opportunity will go for it so," she added.
The circuit for today's stage was used for the first time in the Tour, and the predominately flat 25 kilometre loop proved perfect for the sprinters' teams like High Road.
"I was a pretty flat stage and it helped with the wind out the back," noted Wood. "I prefer the criterium just because of the hill, but this worked out well.
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"Normally we would work for Ina in a stage like this as she is the better sprinter, but this worked out well for the team," Wood added.
Wood, the current Australian Open Road Champion, looked resplendent in her green and gold High Road outfit. Wood's win in the women's season's opening race, plus the 'home ground' advantage, will make her one of the favourites going into the Geelong World Cup on Sunday.
"We have a fantastic team this year with a lot of the team from last year, and a couple of new ones," she said. "I think that we will be a lot stronger this year."
Leader of the Tour after the morning's eight kilometre Stage 1 time trial, Christiane Soeder (Cervelo-Lifeforce), finished slightly down on the sprinters due to the high speed of the High Road lead out. However the difference of just six seconds did little to dent the Austrian's 35 second advantage over Teutenberg and she will go into the final stage wearing the purple leader's jersey.
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"Today was a hard race but my team did a good job, and I tried to do a good job too," said Soeder. "I think that tomorrow will be hard again and we will have to work hard again. I hope that the weather will be fine like today, I am looking forward to it."
With just 25 seconds separating the first two riders on general classification tomorrow's final stage, characterized by a grueling climb, looks set to be an exciting showdown between the Cervelo - Lifeforce and High Road teams. Both Soeder and Teutenberg are showing good form, and with Teutenberg having trained well all winter it could come down to the wire.
"I have been in California all winter, so I have been training well," said Teutenberg. "I am in good shape, but the results so far have come as a bit of a surprise. With the team we hope to do well in the World Cup on Sunday."
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by John Veage
- The bunch climbing out of Portarlington in Victoria.
- The peloton set a steady pace early in the race.
- The bunch rolls by a flat St Leonards coastline.
- The scenic St Leonards coastline.
- Kiwi rider Serena Sheridan (New Zealand) on her break lap.
- Australians Bridie O'Donnell and Sara Carrigan make an attempt.
- High Road also took the Best Young rider jersey with Linda Villumsen.
- The bunch stuck together for most of the race.
- Oenone Wood (Team High Road) wins the race while team-mate Ina Tuetenberg starts the celebrations.
- Oenone Wood and Ina Tuetenberg celebrate their Team High Road victory after crossing the line.
- Oenone Wood (Team High Road) is all smiles after her victory.
- Stage 2 podium (L-R): Ina Teutenberg (Team High Road), Oenone Wood (Team High Road) and Regina Schleicher (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung).
- General Classification podium (L-R): Ina Teutenberg (Team High Road), Christiane Soeder (Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team) and Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini Selle Italia).
Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net
- Toni Bradshaw (New Zealand) leads Eva Lutz (Nürnberger) out of Portarlington.
- Giant Pro Cycling is heading into its third season as an international team.
- Webcor are riding the Geelong Tour for the first time.
- Charlotte Becker (Nürnberger)
- Australian TT Champ Bridie O'Donnell (Australian National Team)
- Serena Sheridan (New Zealand) made a solo breakaway attempt.
- Landlink on the front to chase down Kiwi Sheridan.
- Oenone Wood (Team High Road) was happy with her win.
- Stage 2 podium (L-R): Ina Teutenberg (Team High Road), Oenone Wood (Team High Road) and Regina Schleicher (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung).
- Linda Villumsen (Team High Road) kept the Under 23 lead.
- It was a double celebration for Team High Road.
Results
1 Oenone Wood (Aus) Team High Road 1.57.19 2 Ina Teutenberg (Ger) Team High Road 3 Regina Schleicher (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 4 Miho Oki (Jpn) Menikini Selle Italia 5 Lorian Graham (Aus) Vrienden Van Het Platteland 6 Vicki Whitelaw (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team 7 Sarah Düster (Ger) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 8 Tina Mayolo Pic (USA) Vrienden Van Het Platteland 9 Emma Rickards (Aus) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 10 Peta Mullens (Aus) Australian National Team 11 Lang Meng (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling 12 Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Menikini Selle Italia 13 Lauren Franges (USA) US National Team 14 Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Australian National Team 15 Jenny Macpherson (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team 16 Carlee Taylor (Aus) QAS 17 Kristin Armstrong Savola (USA) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 18 Thresa Cliff-Ryan (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team 19 Amanda Spratt (Aus) Australian National Team 20 Emma Mackie (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team 21 Yong Li Liu (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling 22 Toni Bradshaw (NZl) BikeNZ 23 Catherine Cheatley (NZl) BikeNZ 24 Belinda Goss (Aus) VIS 25 Charlotte Becker (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 26 Marina Riomoli (Ita) Menikini Selle Italia 27 Carissa Wilkes (NZl) BikeNZ 28 Ruth Corset (Aus) QAS 29 Katheryn Mattis (USA) Webcor Builders Cycling Team 30 Judith Arndt (Ger) Team High Road 31 Christiane Soeder (Aut) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 32 Suzanne De Goede (Ned) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 33 Helen Kelly (Aus) VIS 34 Fei Wang (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling 35 Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 36 Felicia Greer-Gomez (Can) Vrienden Van Het Platteland 37 Hayley Wright (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team 38 Serena Sheridan (NZl) BikeNZ 39 Carla Ryan (Aus) Australian National Team 40 Chantal Beltman (Ned) Team High Road 41 Alex Wrubleski (Can) Webcor Builders Cycling Team 42 Li Chen (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling 43 Katherine O'shea (Aus) VIS 44 Priska Doppmann (Swi) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 45 Sharon Laws (GBr) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team 46 Natalie Bates (Aus) Menikini Selle Italia 47 Josephine Tomic (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team 48 Linda Villumsen Serup (Den) Team High Road 49 Tahlia Paskin (Aus) QAS 50 Alison Powers (USA) US National Team 51 Carmen Mcnellis (USA) US National Team 52 Christine Thorburn (USA) Webcor Builders Cycling Team 53 Kim Schoonbaert (Bel) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team 54 Brei Gudsell (NZl) BikeNZ 55 Karin Thurig (Swi) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 56 Linn Torp (Nor) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team 57 Erinne Willock (Can) Webcor Builders Cycling Team 58 Jemma O'brien (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani 59 Marina Duvnjak (NZl) BikeNZ 60 Min Gao (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling 61 Liz Young (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team 62 Kathryn Watt (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team 63 Sara Carrigan (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team 64 Eva Lutz (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 65 Lauren Kitchen (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani 66 Trixi Worrack (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 67 Leonie Burford (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani 68 Alexis Rhodes (Aus) Team High Road 69 Christina Ruiter (USA) US National Team 70 Katharine Carroll (USA) US National Team 71 Jaccolien Wallaard (Ned) Vrienden Van Het Platteland 72 Monique Hanley (Aus) VIS 73 Sorcha Flett (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team 74 Sheree Mckenzie (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team 75 Bridie O'donnell (Aus) Australian National Team 76 Kerryn Charman (Aus) VIS 77 Patricia Palmer (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team 78 Xiao Mei Huang (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling 79 Ashlee Ankudinoff (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani 80 Louise Kerr (Aus) QAS 81 Zoe Appel (Aus) QAS 82 Nicole Whitburn (Aus) VIS 83 Amy Dombroski (USA) Webcor Builders Cycling Team 84 Carly Hibberd (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team 85 Olivia Gollan (Aus) Menikini Selle Italia 86 Rachel Neylan (Aus) QAS 87 Rochelle Gilmore (Aus) Menikini Selle Italia 88 Lisa Friend (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani DNF Michelle Mewing (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team General classification after stage 2 1 Christiane Soeder (Aut) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 2.08.51 2 Ina Teutenberg (Ger) Team High Road 0.27 3 Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Menikini Selle Italia 0.32 4 Leonie Burford (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani 0.51 5 Katheryn Mattis (USA) Webcor Builders Cycling Team 0.56 6 Kristin Armstrong Savola (USA) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 0.57 7 Oenone Wood (Aus) Team High Road 0.58 8 Alexis Rhodes (Aus) Team High Road 1.02 9 Judith Arndt (Ger) Team High Road 10 Alex Wrubleski (Can) Webcor Builders Cycling Team 1.03 11 Linda Villumsen Serup (Den) Team High Road 1.08 12 Vicki Whitelaw (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team 1.09 13 Christine Thorburn (USA) Webcor Builders Cycling Team 1.12 14 Charlotte Becker (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 1.16 15 Chantal Beltman (Ned) Team High Road 16 Alison Powers (USA) US National Team 1.17 17 Sarah Düster (Ger) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 1.20 18 Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 1.21 19 Amanda Spratt (Aus) Australian National Team 1.23 20 Sara Carrigan (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team 1.24 21 Lauren Franges (USA) US National Team 1.25 22 Lorian Graham (Aus) Vrienden Van Het Platteland 23 Suzanne De Goede (Ned) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 1.26 24 Peta Mullens (Aus) Australian National Team 1.27 25 Sharon Laws (GBr) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team 1.28 26 Trixi Worrack (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 1.29 27 Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Australian National Team 1.30 28 Karin Thurig (Swi) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 29 Serena Sheridan (NZl) BikeNZ 1.31 30 Miho Oki (Jpn) Menikini Selle Italia 1.32 31 Natalie Bates (Aus) Menikini Selle Italia 1.33 32 Carla Ryan (Aus) Australian National Team 1.34 33 Christina Ruiter (USA) US National Team 1.35 34 Katharine Carroll (USA) US National Team 35 Jenny Macpherson (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team 1.37 36 Felicia Greer-Gomez (Can) Vrienden Van Het Platteland 1.38 37 Priska Doppmann (Swi) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 1.39 38 Carlee Taylor (Aus) QAS 1.43 39 Ruth Corset (Aus) QAS 1.44 40 Erinne Willock (Can) Webcor Builders Cycling Team 1.47 41 Kathryn Watt (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team 1.48 42 Marina Duvnjak (NZl) BikeNZ 1.50 43 Fei Wang (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling 1.52 44 Eva Lutz (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 1.57 45 Emma Rickards (Aus) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 46 Lang Meng (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling 2.01 47 Toni Bradshaw (NZl) BikeNZ 2.03 48 Catherine Cheatley (NZl) BikeNZ 2.05 49 Belinda Goss (Aus) VIS 50 Josephine Tomic (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team 2.06 51 Carissa Wilkes (NZl) BikeNZ 2.09 52 Helen Kelly (Aus) VIS 2.10 53 Regina Schleicher (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 54 Carmen Mcnellis (USA) US National Team 2.15 55 Tina Mayolo Pic (USA) Vrienden Van Het Platteland 2.16 56 Yong Li Liu (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling 2.17 57 Brei Gudsell (NZl) BikeNZ 2.20 58 Katherine O'shea (Aus) VIS 2.25 59 Liz Young (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team 60 Bridie O'donnell (Aus) Australian National Team 61 Emma Mackie (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team 2.31 62 Tahlia Paskin (Aus) QAS 2.33 63 Lauren Kitchen (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani 64 Min Gao (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling 2.36 65 Thresa Cliff-Ryan (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team 2.37 66 Jemma O'brien (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani 2.43 67 Li Chen (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling 2.50 68 Louise Kerr (Aus) QAS 2.52 69 Jaccolien Wallaard (Ned) Vrienden Van Het Platteland 2.53 70 Hayley Wright (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team 2.56 71 Linn Torp (Nor) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team 2.57 72 Marina Riomoli (Ita) Menikini Selle Italia 2.59 73 Kim Schoonbaert (Bel) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team 3.02 74 Monique Hanley (Aus) VIS 3.03 75 Zoe Appel (Aus) QAS 3.10 76 Xiao Mei Huang (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling 3.15 77 Nicole Whitburn (Aus) VIS 3.19 78 Sheree Mckenzie (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team 3.23 79 Ashlee Ankudinoff (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani 3.41 80 Kerryn Charman (Aus) VIS 3.45 81 Amy Dombroski (USA) Webcor Builders Cycling Team 3.47 82 Patricia Palmer (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team 3.57 83 Sorcha Flett (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team 4.00 84 Olivia Gollan (Aus) Menikini Selle Italia 4.03 85 Carly Hibberd (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team 4.21 86 Rachel Neylan (Aus) QAS 8.28 87 Rochelle Gilmore (Aus) Menikini Selle Italia 9.07 88 Lisa Friend (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani 10.18
