Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Race Report

Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

1st February – Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race Women: Geelong – Geelong

A steady start to the final race Down Under for Team Picnic PostNL’s Women’s program burst into action in the final 40 kilometres when the race made it onto the local circuit in Geelong. Riding well as a unit, the team kept Eleonora Ciabocco and Josie Nelson safe ahead of the last ascent of Challambra Crescent where they were well positioned on the lower slopes. On the steep gradients the climbers pushed the pace and split the already reduced front group, with Ciabocco and Nelson digging deep as part of chasing split. Almost making contact with the leaders as they hit the final short but steep climb, the pace out front once again increased and the elastic snapped. Ciabocco and Nelson fought hard all the way to the line with Nelson leading home the team just outside the top 15 on the day; while Ciabocco won the prize as best young rider of the race.

Speaking after the race Nelson said: “It was a steady start to the race, we were in good positions throughout the day and rode together a lot as a team. It kicked off the first time up Challambra and we were together over the top which was good. The race exploded in the last lap, and me and Eleonora just missed the front group over the top of Challambra which was a bit frustrating. We continued to push all the way to line together though to try and make it back, but those out front worked well together, but we kept trying and Eleonora won the best young rider again in the end.”

Results

  • 35.492/H
  • 141.8KM
  • 1185M
  • One day race
Pos.RiderTeamTimePoints
1WOLLASTON AllyFDJ - SUEZ3:59:43-
2SWINKELS KarlijnUAE Team ADQ,,-
3RÜEGG NoemiEF Education-Oatly,,-
17NELSON JosieTeam Picnic PostNL0:37-
20CIABOCCO EleonoraTeam Picnic PostNL0:42-
25BARBIERI RacheleTeam Picnic PostNL1:03-
40STORRIE BeckyTeam Picnic PostNL1:23-
42ROLDAN MaraTeam Picnic PostNL2:21-
74BADER SiljeTeam Picnic PostNL11:35-