Result

Provisional

• Average speed of the winner: 41.7 km/h
• Number of starters: 189
• Riders abandoning the race: 10

Race in Progress: B-GRADE

• Average speed of the winner: 38.3 km/h
• Number of starters: 25
• Riders abandoning the race: 1

Race in Progress: C-GRADE

• Average speed of the winner: 37.1 km/h
• Number of starters: 23

Race in Progress: D-GRADE

• Average speed of the winner: 36.0 km/h
• Number of starters: 14
• Riders abandoning the race: 2

Race in Progress: WOMEN

• Average speed of the winner: 35.7 km/h
• Number of starters: 12
• Riders abandoning the race: 4

Sprint Classification

PROVISIONAL Final Result

Intermediate Sprints

Sprint #1- Inverleigh

Sprint #2 – Lismore

Sprint #3 – Terang

Sprint #4 – Panmure

Hill Climb Classification

PROVISIONAL Final Result

Hill Climbs

Climb #1 – Camperdown

Climb #2 – Camperdown

Best Warrnambool Rider

Men’s Vic 200km Championship

Teams Classification

Standings

A late call out to entrants in the 101^st Melbourne to Warrnambool has resulted in a strong field for the second official women’s category in the iconic race.

Headlining the start list are current Individual Pursuit World Champion, Rebecca Wiasak and former 24 hour MTB World Champion, Jessica Douglas.

For Douglas, the race is an opportunity to realise a 27 year dream. ‘I have always wanted to do the Melbourne to Warrnambool,’ says Douglas. ‘It’s been on my radar since I was 16 and riding the Great Victorian Bike Ride. As soon as I saw that the race needed more female entries, I got butterflies in my stomach and then I knew I just had to enter. So I did.’ Douglas’ endurance background gives her confidence in covering the distance, but her focus will be on the finish line. ‘My goal is to finish and enjoy working in a good bunch all day long,’ said Douglas.

The timing of the race coincides with summer season preparations for Wiasak, but her expectations for the race are modest. ‘I am only a couple of weeks into my pre-season training so the Melbourne to Warrnambool will get me a lot of base kms!’ said Wiasak. Before taking a short break last month, Wiasak was showing strong form by winning the overall at the Amy’s Otway Classic and stage wins at the Sam Miranda Tour. Wiasak will be joined by her High5 Dream Team team mates, Tessa Fabry and Kendelle Hodges.

Race insiders will be looking to two underdogs to shine, particularly as the race nears Warrnambool: South Yarra resident Purdie Long and Cairns based rider Fiona Yard. Long has had an ideal preparation, with her season built around a performance peak for the Melbourne to Warrnambool. A finisher in the 2015 edition, this second attempt is to address unfinished business. ‘I am here to race it again with the learnings and knowledge gained from last year,’ says Long, ‘and to ultimately improve on my result.’

For Yard, preparation in the north of Australia has been ideal, avoiding much of the spring rain and wind facing the southern states. She has also been able to train with a contingent of six members of the Cairns Cycling Club, led by former Victorian resident Duncan Murray. ‘He conned all six of us (to enter)’ admitted Yard. Those familiar with Yard recognise her pure determination whenever she gets on her bike, a trait that will become essential when the race clocks over 200km.

At 277km the race distances surpasses distance regulations for both male and female cyclists in Australia, with the race requiring an exemption to the distance rulings in order to be sanctioned. It is also unique in world cycling, where men and women all line up together at the start line.

Cycling Victoria CEO Kipp Kaufmann is pleased to see the women’s event strengthened with equal prize money support from the State Government and support from Warrnambool business, Anchor Point Village. ‘The Women’s Melbourne to Warrnambool has quickly established itself as an iconic event in the cycling calendar’, said Kaufmann. ‘We look forward to working with all stakeholders to continue to grow the women’s race.’

The race begins at Eagle Stadium in Werribee on Saturday 15^th October from 7:30am, with riders expected to finish around 3pm (depending on the conditions) in Warrnambool. You can follow the women’s event using the hashtag #WM2W16 or from the dedicated twitter account: www.twitter.com/anchorpointM2W

Women’s entries

*withdrawn

BMC Racing Team is lining up with multiple objectives at both races said Sports Directors Valerio Piva and Fabio Baldato.

“Of course you go into any race to win, but the main goal of the Crit?rium du Dauphin? is for Richie to really test his legs and see where his form is at, as it’s one of the biggest tests before the Tour de France. It’s a great opportunity to race together as a team, especially for the riders who will be there to support Richie and are hoping to be selected for the Tour de France roster,” Piva said.

“It’s great to have a rider like Tejay for the General Classification at the Tour de Suisse, where he’ll have some very strong support on the climbs with Darwin Atapuma and Samuel S?nchez. Riders like Philippe Gilbert and Silvan Dillier are well-suited to breakaways and stage wins, so we are looking forward to seeing what we can do there,” Baldato explained.

Porte is looking forward to returning to racing after illness forced him to withdraw from the Tour de Romandie.

“Since the Tour de Romandie I’ve put in some really good training blocks at home and with the team at training camp, so I’m ready to put that training to the test at the Crit?rium du Dauphin?. It’s always a tough race and knowing that it will be my last race before the Tour de France, I want to show what I can do.”

Lining up in Switzerland is always extra motivation, van Garderen said.

“With BMC Switzerland as our title sponsor, it’s always motivating when we race in Switzerland as we want to do Andy Rihs proud. It will be my third Tour de Suisse and a really good opportunity to test myself and after some solid training recently, I’ll be able to get those final race days in the legs before the Tour de France.”

Crit?rium du Dauphin? (5-12 June)

Rider roster: Brent Bookwalter (USA), Marcus Burghardt (GER), Damiano Caruso (ITA), Rohan Dennis (AUS), Ben Hermans (BEL), Ama?l Moinard (FRA), Richie Porte (AUS), Greg Van Avermaet (BEL).

Sports Directors: Valerio Piva (ITA), Yvon Ledanois (FRA)
Tour de Suisse (11-19 June)

Rider roster: Darwin Atapuma (COL), Silvan Dillier (SUI), Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Samuel S?nchez (ESP), Michael Sch?r (SUI), Dylan Teuns (BEL), Tejay van Garderen (USA), Danilo Wyss (SUI).

Sports Directors: Fabio Baldato (ITA), Max Sciandri (ITA)

Starting the race as the defending champion after her courageous win one year ago, Elvin was able handle the added pressure today to successfully defend her title in Gooik after a spectacular performance from the whole ORICA-AIS team.

“We were really in control the whole race today,” said Elvin after her victory. “It was great for us to have so many cards to play and then actually finish it off.”

“I tried to keep a clear head going into the race, we had a good team plan before the race. We’ve really been working since the camp on our tactics and communication so we ticked all the boxes today and we had a lot of confidence in our selves and each other which is also something we have really been working on.

“It just all came together today so it really was perfect for us. Everyone’s in a really good place, good form, training camp went so well, we’ve all been working hard but super lucky to have our great staff who have been facilitating all of this.

“We are all very happy at the moment and it’s exciting to keep moving forward like this.”

Elvin’s teammate Annemiek Van Vleuten made the day’s main, long breakaway along with Emma Johansson (Wiggle-High5) which provided to be the perfect tactical scenario for the team, leaving Elvin to sit comfortable in the chasing group saving her legs to sprint for the victory.

“It was a great day for the team,” said Van Vleuten. “I was able to go with Emma when she attacked on the uphill cobbles with around 50kilometres to go.”

“It was close in the final, I was ready to sprint and then suddenly we were caught. Amanda Spratt did a fantastic counter attack which worked perfectly for us as Boels-Dolmans then had to chase.

“They closed in and I fought back with Gracie on my wheel and started the sprint around 400m to go. I am happy I was still able to lead her out for the sprint and that she was able to win. Overall it was a really amazing day for the team.”

How it happened:

Similar to last year’s race the peloton were given wet, harsh conditions for the 136.2km course.

ORICA-AIS took to the start line as the defending champions, beaming with confidence after Van Vleuten’s gutsy ride two days early were she fought to finish in second place at the Boels-Rental Hills Classic.

The typical Belgian race, much like a spring classic, meant the riders had to contest with twisty narrow roads and a selection of tough cobble climbs which included the famous Muur, Bosberg and Congoberg climbs.

An early breakaway of four riders kicked off the day’s proceedings and as their advantage grew ORICA-AIS saw the danger as Elvin and Van Vleuten were able to bridge across in a small group to form a leading group of eleven riders.

The peloton raced over the continuous section of climbs and the chasing group worked well together led by Boels-Dolmans to close in on the leaders.

It wasn’t long after when Van Vleuten, along with Johansson, broke away on the Congoberg and rapidly rode out to a one-minute 30second advantage, a dangerous move which looked likely to stay away.

However it wasn’t to be, as the chase group slowly began to reel in the duo and with just eight kilometres remaining the pair’s advantage dropped down to just 10seconds. With the chasing group in sight they held on until the final kilometres.

This set the scene for a perfect scenario for ORICA-AIS and with just two kilometres remaining with around 20riders still in contact, Australian champion Spratt launched an attack causing the remaining bunch to string out giving Elvin a smooth run to the line.

The victory today highlights the consistent spring for the whole ORICA-AIS team, placing on the podium in the previous three races.

Last week the team took third place from Sarah Roy, followed by second place for Van Vleuten and capped off with today’s first place for Elvin. Not to mention Rachel Neyan’s victory yesterday in GP-Plumelec where she won solo racing with the Australian National Team.

Gooik-Geraardsbergen-Gooik results:

1. Gracie Elvin (ORICA-AIS)
2. Lotte Kopecky (Lotto-Soudal Ladies)
3. Elise Delzenne (Lotto-Soudal Ladies)

Mission accomplished. Twelve hundred metres from the finish line, Neylan made her move and had enough in the tank to hold off a fast-closing peloton all the way to the line.

?The way the girls rode today shows how they have grown and matured in Europe,? said Neylan. ?I couldn?t have won without them. The team tactics today were invaluable to my win, and I?m so proud of the way they were able execute all the way up until the point I launched my attack. They raced with such heart and such commitment. I couldn?t be any prouder or more grateful.?

Sport Director Donna Rae-Szalinski expected the Grand Prix de Plumelec to be a race of attrition. The peloton faced a 109 kilometre circuit race with five longer laps (13.9km) and five shorter laps (7.7km). Both laps included an ascent of the Cadoudal for ten times up the punchy climb.

?We were lucky because the circuit had some similarities to our national championships in Buninyong, so we know how to pace over a course where you do a climb like that 10 times,? noted Rae-Szalinski. ?The French team was determined from the start, and they attacked out of the block. It was good for us because we could cover selectively rather than be the aggressors. We wanted to save most of our matches for the end of the race.?

Despite the non-stop attacks from the French national team, a larger than expected group started the second to last lap together.

?We thought the course would sort out a lot of the race,? noted Rae-Szalinski. ?That didn?t really happen.?

Neylan didn?t like her chances from a big bunch so her teammates went on the attack.

?Just before two laps to go, Jessica Allen covered an attack,? said Rae-Szalinski. ?When she came back, Shannon Malseed launched a counterattack. Four got off the front. It was really good for us because it let everyone else sit in.?

?I had asked my teammates to be smart and calculated with their attacks,? said Neylan. ?It?s exactly what they did. It wasn?t in my favour that there was still a big peloton, and they did everything they could to reduce the field.?

Malseed?s quartet returned to the peloton just before the bell rang for one lap remaining. With two kilometres left, the Oceania champion jumped again.

?She was alone with a 15-second lead when we turned right into the finishing climb,? noted Neylan. ?I basically looked around me and saw that there were still far too many girls in the peloton for my liking, and I knew I had to do something.?

?I had it in the big ring. I dropped it down a few. And then I put my head down and launched the absolute biggest attack I could,? Neylan said. ?This was all or nothing. I was either going to win the damn bike race or blow spectacularly trying.?

Neylan?s jump was powerful enough to immediately open a sizeable gap, and a slight hesitation behind furthered her advantage. The calculated risk paid dividends.

?I came here with a clear and simple objective in mind, and the way my teammates were riding around me inspired me until the last moment,? said Neylan. ?I knew I had the legs. I know that kind of power climb suits me. It was just a matter of backing myself and trusting my instinct. It was a very long and painful kilometre, and I?m so happy I could finish off the work my teammates had done for me all day.?

Rae-Szalinski echoed Neylan?s sentiments.

?I can?t say how incredibly proud I am of the commitment the development riders showed today to help Rachel,? she said. ?They?ve done this through their entire trip ? giving their absolute all to help Shara [Gillow], Spratty [Amanda Spratt] and Lauren Kitchen. I had goose bumps today to see them again putting it on the line. It?s awesome for them because they can learn how to race effectively with true purpose. It?s made me so proud to see them race so selflessly.?

?It?s an Olympic year, and we want to qualify four spots for Australia,? Rae-Szalinski added. ?If these development girls can contribute, it?s an honour for them. And they have made a contribution. It?s shown how far the team has progressed and how committed they are to the Australian cycling program.?

For more information on the High5 GoExPro Australian Women?s Road Development Team please contact:

As Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) took the stage victory ahead, Chaves finished over four minutes ahead of leader Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) who crashed into a wall of snow on the descent of the ?Cima Coppi?.

The 26-year-old claimed the pink jersey for ORICA-GreenEDGE and holds a 44second advantage to Nibali with just two more race days to come.

A great team performance saw Ruben Plaza escape in the breakaway on the ?Cima Coppi? climb before joining up with Chaves later in the stage and supporting the queen stage winner onto the start of the final climb.

?It?s a dream,? said Chaves. ?Absolutely incredible. The team were fantastic yet again today and I have to thank them and everyone at ORICA-GreenEDGE because this is for all of us.?

?Today was truly a difficult stage but we executed our race plan to perfection. Ruben (Plaza) was ahead in the break and he worked very hard for me in the final after Damien (Howson) had done a great job on the Colle dell Agnello.?

Chaves both instigated and fended off attacks in an impressive performance throughout the stage before battling and riding intelligently with Nibali on the climb to the finish in Risoul.

?I tried to follow Vincenzo (Nibali) when he attacked late in the stage,? explained Chaves. ?I managed to keep my rhythm and stay close enough at the finish. I?m very sorry for the crash of Steven (Kruijswijk), unfortunately it?s a part of bike racing and he was unlucky today.?

Sport director Matt White was very content at the end of the stage but well aware there is another big day in the mountains to come tomorrow.

?We wanted to get someone in the breakaway today that?s for sure,? said White. ?After yesterday’s stage we knew the racing was going to be very aggressive today with lots of teams looking to get into the break which didn?t end up forming until 75kilometres in.?

?It made the difference for us having Plaza up the road because he was so important for Esteban in the final third of the stage when the chasers looked to be getting closer.?

?Nibali was very strong on the final climb,? continued White. ?But Esteban rode really well and measured his rhythm and his tempo all the way to the finish.?

?Tomorrow is going to be a very difficult stage and we are going to have to be on our guard all the time, but we have one more hard day to go and we are really happy to be in this position.?

How it happened:

Today?s stage 19 began at a frantically fast pace with riders being dropped from the peloton almost as soon as the flag dropped.

Despite countless attempts the peloton was desperately keeping things together as the start of the first climb, the Colle dell?Agnello, approached.

Plaza was one of 28 riders who finally formed the breakaway that escaped on the climb and developed an advantage of four minutes on the Chaves group.

Six riders including Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) and Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal) attacked from the breakaway group ahead of the first mountains points of the day with Ulissi claiming the points.

The six riders had around 30seconds on the twenty chasers before Michele Scarponi (Astana) began to drive the pace and broke clear with 65kilometres left to race.

The Chaves and Kruijswijk group were six minutes behind as Scarponi neared the cloud covered summit of the Colle dell?Agnello and Chaves decided to make his move.

Chaves attacked after a huge pull by Howson with initially only Kruijswijk able to follow. Nibali caught back on with the Astana rider, Kruijswijk and Chaves now putting over 30seconds into the Valverde group.

Race leader Kruijswijk crashed dramatically into the snow banked on the roadside a few hundred metres into the descent with the Dutchman losing contact with Chaves and Nibali who had then joined up with Plaza.

Into the last 40kilometres and the tactics of ORICA-GreenEDGE were proving to be spot on as Plaza powered forward with Chaves on his wheel and Nibali just behind.

Ahead, Scarponi was virtually track standing in the middle of the road with 30kilometres to go as he waited for Nibali ahead of the final climb. The Chaves group had swelled to seven riders as they picked up Scarponi and stragglers from the earlier breakaway.

Plaza led the group onto the final climb to Risoul with 12kilometres to go and Kruijswijk was now over two minutes behind and losing time.

Nibali attacked multiple times only to be covered by Chaves, until he eventually gained 20metres on Chaves who maintained his rhythm as the gradient sharpened.

Nibali pushed out for the stage win with Chaves crossing the line in third place, 53seconds later, to take the race lead and the pink jersey into tomorrow?s penultimate stage.

Stage 20 is another difficult Alpine mountain stage covering 134kilometres and three peaks from Gillestre to Sant?Anna di Vinadio. The course includes three epic climbs, the Col de Vars, the Col de la Bonette and the Colle della Lombarda all coming before a tough summit finish.

Giro d?Italia stage 19 results:
1. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) 04:19:54
2. Mikel Nieve (Team-Sky) 00:00:51
3. Esteban Chaves (ORICA-GreenEDGE) 00:00:53

General classification after stage 19:
1. Esteban Chaves (ORICA-GreenEDGE) 78:14:20
2. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) 00:00:44
3. Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) 00:01:05

The 174.5-kilometer stage played out towards a bunch finish with an easily-controlled two men forming the day’s breakaway and everything was together again with 17-kilometers remaining.

A few antagonists tried their luck at spoiling a sprint ending, but the high-pace in the chaotic final kilometers kept everything tight. With perfectly-timed precision, Trek-Segafredo came to the front in leading out Theuns, and he delivered on the uphill finish with a powerful sprint to win by half a bike length.

“The team launched me perfectly in the last two kilometers,” explained Theuns. “They did amazing work, Boy (Van Poppel) in particular did such a long pull in the end. I kept pushing him and he rode until he almost fell off his bike. When I was alone I had to wait a little bit before launching my sprint, but I picked the right moment and then when the bump came I knew I had it.

“For me, it is a very important victory. I was waiting for my first victory this season and I had very high ambitions coming to the Tour of Belgium. I was happy with the prologue yesterday, I did a good time and good values on my SRM, and I was confident that the form is good.”

Theuns has worked tirelessly for the team’s top sprinters this season, and when given his chances, knocked on victory’s door, sprinting to three podium places, but never the top step.

“In the spring I gained a lot of confidence in my sprinting, I felt like I made progress and felt good power,” continued Theuns. “I rested for a week after the Classics and started building again with the Tour of Belgium being a big goal. I came here with ambitions to win a stage. My sprint felt good in training, and today all the hard training paid off.”

“I knew that Edward was training really well,” added Director Dirk Demol. “He went to Girona for some specific training and he was really focused on this race. I had promised him in Croatia that he would be the leader here. He has been pulling for the team, for Giacomo (Nizzolo) and Niccolo (Bonifazio), and doing all this work and he is fast as well, so it was time to give him something back. So I told him I have only one leader in Belgium, doesn’t matter who comes, but you are my leader.”

Theuns sealed his first win this year, shaking the monkey off his back and proving that his leadership onus is well-deserved.

Patrick Lane (Avanti Isowhey Sport) has made history at the 56th edition of the Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic, finishing the gruelling 228 kilometre epic in less than six hours to set a new race record.

On a stunning autumn day in northern New South Wales, almost 300 competitors across three divisions tackled the race reputed to be Australia?s toughest one-day ride. But it came down to just two, Lane outsprinting training partner Nathan Elliott (Kenyan Riders Downunder) to cross the Inverell finish-line with arms aloft. Lane?s team-mate Patrick Shaw placed third to round out Avanti Isowhey Sport’s presence on the podium, in the first men’s race of the 2016 Subaru National Road Series.

?I am over the moon to come away with that one,? said a jubilant Lane, who came third at the Australian Road National Championships earlier this year. ?To get the record is also great, but I would have been equally happy to win the slowest Classic ? just winning is incredible!?

The race was animated from the start-gun, with an 11-rider breakaway establishing a lead on the road out of Grafton. By the time the attack group reached the base of the infamous Gibraltar Range, they enjoyed a nine-minute time gap from the chasing peloton.

?We did not climb too hard, because we had such a big lead,? Lane admitted. ?Once we were over the top the group slowly got smaller and smaller. We started attacking each other with 80 kilometres to go, and the group would thin every time someone made a move. This race is so long, hot and tough, guys just start to run out of legs.?

Lane attacked in the final stanza, taking Elliott with him, and the two tussled several times on the last climb before entering the final straight neck-and-neck.

?I was actually pretty confident I could get Pat in the sprint, but I went to step out and had nothing,? explained second-placed Elliott, who was forced to change bike mid-race after breaking his derailleur. ?I am really disappointed right now, but am sure later on second will feel better.?

Lane?s finish, in a time of 5 hours, 57 minutes and 55 seconds, broke the record formerly held by 2011 winner Mark Jamieson. Lane?s record-breaking victory was made all the sweeter by being alongside a close friend for the entire day.’?Nathan did most of the work today, he was just awesome,? Lane continued. ?I tried to go ahead but could not get rid of him. Nathan?s a good mate of mine ? I train with him all the time ? so to come into the finish together was just awesome.

Lane?s team-mate Shaw was also active throughout the day, winning three of the four King of the Mountain climbs and two of the three sprints. His efforts earned him both the Jakazni King of the Mountain jersey and Nucleo Sprint King award, while Bradley Soden (Kenyan Riders Downunder) was the Jorgensen Builders Youngest Rider.

In the Fencing North West B Grade division, Daniel Alcock from Coffs Harbour finished 20 seconds ahead of Paul Wilks and Calem Wilcox to win the race. Grafton local Jye Reardon took out the Inverell RSM C Grade, from Ashley Stapley and Joe Stokes.

The Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic is an iconic feature on the Australian racing calendar. Some of the nation?s best riders have found themselves on the podium over the years, with past place-getters including Simon Gerrans, Scott Sunderland and Dave McKenzie.

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Adam Hansen: ?The Giro will be my fourteenth consecutive Grand Tour and it?s nice that I?ve come this far. But I treat it as any other race, regardless the number. I want to do this race as much as anyone even though I have done so many Grand Tours. To me it has just become something I do. Also this year I am motivated to ride all three Grand Tours. I do this because I enjoy the style of racing. It?s a mix of many different styles and I like to be on the road and have race after race after race.?

?The Giro is the most passionate one of the three Grand Tours according to me. I just love Italy and the atmosphere at the race there. During the stages we often pass beautiful places, but unfortunately it?s very difficult to remember exactly where. In all those years I?ve crossed the whole country and have seen a lot of amazing places which aren?t the typical tourist destinations, it?s these places I like the most.?

?But it?s not all fun of course. The Giro always has a super hard profile and the weather conditions can be difficult. You know it?s going to be a tricky and hard race. I already had some good years in the past though, with wins working for Andr? Greipel and for Mark Cavendish many years ago. And then there?s of course my own stage win in 2013 in Pescara. It was such a difficult stage, the weather was bad and there were so many climbs and crashes and then it?s so nice to come in solo in the rain. My first Grand Tour stage will never be forgotten.?

?For sure people will see me in action again this edition, in breakaways and aiming for a good result. I can?t tell when and where yet, that also depends on the team tactics. Only one thing is sure: it is my birthday on 11 May, when it?s the fifth stage. I?m not such a birthday fan and I don?t like the fuss, but people always remind me. The team likes to celebrate it, but for me it?s just another day.?

Tim Wellens will ride the Giro d?Italia for the second time in his career. In 2014, Tim obtained some nice results. He became two times second and obtained also two top ten places. Besides that, he managed to finish fourth in the KOM classification. Also this year the course offers a few opportunities to try something and the 25-year-old Belgian celebrates his birthday in Italy. Because of that he?ll be extra motivated.

Tim Wellens: ?In 2014, I rode my first Grand Tour in Italy and actually that was a very good race. During the preparations for this season it was already clear from the beginning that I would participate in the Giro. I have the ambition to go to the Olympic Games in Rio, a combination of the Tour de France and the Olympic Games wouldn?t be a wise choice.?

?The goals for the next three weeks match my way of racing. The finales of a few stages really suit me so I?ll try to ride aggressively just like always. I want to obtain some nice results in these stages. I won?t aim for a good position on GC. Even if everything would go perfectly, a top fifteen place would be the best possible result. But then I need to ride less aggressively in a few stages and I?m not keen on that. I want to give full gas in some stages and I prefer to win a stage instead of obtaining a top fifteen result.?

?The Giro is less hectic compared to the Tour de France. There?s just less stress in the peloton and there?s also less pressure from the media. It?s a very nice race, a lot of passionate fans will support the riders along the roads. After Li?ge-Bastogne-Li?ge I didn?t ride on my bike for about three days. After that I was able to train well in the Ardennes. I think I?m satisfied about my feeling after the Ardennes Classics. A body that?s in good form must be able to handle four races in two weeks. That way I?m able to start in the Giro with a good shape just like two years ago.?

?

Specialized Women?s Racing is delighted to announce the signing of Taryn Heather, Lucy Bechtel and Madeline Wright, adding a significant boost to the already strong 2016 line-up which claimed the Yellow Jersey at Mersey Valley over the weekend.

With three rounds of the NRS completed, SWR are in an ideal position with Kate Perry now leading the overall rankings and the team in 4^th position.

Team manager Liz Phillipou is confident that her team has what it takes to win the 2016 NRS.

?Taryn, Lucy and Maddy have been hand picked as they possess certain skills and strengths that will compliment our existing riders perfectly, adding a few extra weapons to our artillery? said Phillipou.

?With the NRS season already well underway, we are thinking of the big picture and the long term success of our team in years to come? Hence the reason for the mid season signings.

Taryn Heather brings an enormous wealth of experience to the team, an Australian representative at World level, she has raced professionally in Europe since 2011 for Jayco AIS and Bigla Cycling. In 2015 she extended her talents into triathlon and is currently qualified to compete at the Half Ironman World Championships 70.3 later in the year.

The full time psychologist from Albury is looking forward to being part of ?a very professional team that works so well together, sets and achieves goals as a team and always seems to have fun whilst doing this.?

Lucy Bechtel, a self confessed ?Uni nerd? began cycling in 2011 after moving to Canberra to work as a full time economist for the Dept of Foreign Affairs.

In the 2015 NRS she had a string of podium finishes including a stage win at Tour of King Valley and 3^rd GC at National Capital Tour.

?I?m most excited about the aggressive racing that awaits with such a strong team. It?s an honor to get to race with the incredible equipment too. My first ever races were on a Specialized and I’ve looked forward to getting back on one ever since!? said Bechtel.

Madeline Wright, a full time Physiotherapist from Albury is a fresh new face to the NRS peloton having competed in her first bike race at Tour of Bright last year. Her experience on the bike however dates back to 2009 and Maddy is no stranger to cycling, having worked with the Continental team Avanti Isowhey Sports over the past few years.

Specialized Women?s Racing will next compete in NRS Round 4 Battle on the Border 3-5 June 2016 in Kingscliff NSW.

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Team Website: www.specializedwomensracing.com

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Twitter: @SpecializedWR_

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