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.
