Rowney reigns supreme in Geelong

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.

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"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."