Josie Nelson sprints to 2nd at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

The journey Down Under ended for Team Picnic PostNL’s Women’s program on Saturday with the Cadel Evans Road Race – where they would take on a familiar route along the roads around Geelong before the now traditional finish circuit which includes the steep Challambra climb. Team Picnic PostNL set out with one main goal for the day, and that was to protect and position finisher Josie Nelson throughout the race and put in her into contention going up the climb for the last time.

Doing just that, the team worked really well as a unit and despite unfortunately losing Juliana Londoño and Ella Heremans from the bunch just before entering the local lap due to a crash, everyone rallied around Nelson. After a hard pace on the first ascent, things regrouped with Gaia Masetti and Lucie Fityus in the reduced peloton to support Nelson ahead of the final ascent, where the peloton completely exploded. A gutsy climb from Nelson saw her crest in the front group of eight, before another four riders then joined. Despite a few attacks late on over the final unclassified drag, which Nelson ably followed, it came down to a reduced sprint to the line. Choosing the perfect wheel to follow, Nelson produced a strong kick and put down the power to take second place in the finale; a great result and a nice reward from a strong ride and good teamwork throughout the stage.

Nelson reflected: “The race was pretty steady until about 20 kilometres before entering the local lap. There was an early break which got quite some time but was reeled in on the descent into Challambra climb. The girls did a great job positioning me into the climb and I was up there in the front over the top. I was feeling strong on the climb so I was pretty confident for the finish, I just had to make it over once more! Again, the girls did a quality job positioning me into the climb for the final time so I just followed at the front and was strong enough to follow a move but the bunch brought us back in. In the finish I just fought for the good wheels and launched my sprint but couldn’t come around Ally. But I’m super happy to finish the Australian block with a podium and can’t thanks the girls and the team enough for their support in the races!”

Team Picnic PostNL coach Matt Winston added: “I think the team rode together really well today. They showed some excellent fight to be there and support Josie throughout the day. That was the plan – we go all in for Josie and set her up for the finish. Even if someone was dropped, they fought to come back and give another turn. Unfortunately we lost Juliana and Ella in a crash before the first time up Challambra, but after that everyone else did a nice job. Josie showed how strong she was today; she climbed really well and sprinted on a really good level too.”