Peloton Cafe || 2015 Launceston Cycling Classic – Kimberley Wells (image copyright ESi Sports Photography)
Kimberley Wells (High5 Dream Team) has defended her MyState Launceston Cycling Classic crown in style, saluting the sky after beating Sarah Roy (Orica-AIS) and team-mate Kendelle Hodges in front of large Launceston crowds.
The national criterium champion positioned herself perfectly on the final climb, sprinting away to finish just ahead of a fast closing Roy.
“It is really great to take the win today in the green and gold,” exclaimed Canberra-based Wells, who is also a qualified doctor. “I launched relatively early on the final climb. I took a moment or two of respite around the ‘peanut gallery’, as they were calling it, before I shot for home. It was really great out there today.”
The Launceston Cycling Festival introduced equal prize money for the women’s race this year, and Wells spoke after her win about the importance of this development.
“It is huge that the MyState Launceston Cycling Classic now has the same amount of prize money as the men’s race”, she said. “It is a big step forward for female cycling, which is really starting to go from strength to strength.”
Wells also paid her respects the Baker family, including Australian track representative Georgia Baker and Launceston Cycling Festival Race Director Nigel Baker, who lost their father/brother earlier in the year.
“High5 Dream Team were really keen to get down to Tasmania, the home state of our team-mate Georgia Baker,” Wells continued. “The Baker family suffered a tragedy this year with the loss of Georgia’s father suddenly and unexpectedly. In coming down here to race in front of these amazing crowds, we would like to pay our respects and send our love to the Baker family. When crossing the finish-line today I had the family on my mind.”
Second-placed Roy, who helped team-mate Chloe McConville to victory at Saturday’s kermesse, endured a frustrating day at the office.
“I am pretty disappointed I could not get past Kimberley at the end,” the 2014 National Criterium Champion said. “I felt really good during the kermesse out at Longford, but I guess I just did not have the legs today.”
Although Orica-AIS led several moves throughout the day, the professional outfit was marked by High5 Dream Team and were unable to follow Saturday’s victory with more success.
“We had a really good crack out there – Chloe McConville and I had a few attacks at different points, but it was all back together on the final lap. Kimberley just had stronger legs taking it over that hill first.”
