Peloton Cafe || 2015 Mersey Valley Tour Stage 2 – Lucy Coldwell (image copyright Caniluna)
Scottish born Lucy Coldwell (Holden Women’s Cycling) has upstaged defending Mersey Valley Tour champion Ruth Corset (Total Rush Hyster), climbing to victory in stage two’s Sheffield road race and taking the Tour leader’s jersey in the process.
As the peloton hit the final climb, Coldwell formed part of a small breakaway group with Corset and 2014 under 23 time trial national champion Jenelle Crooks (Specialized Securitor), before racing away to clinch victory.
2015 Mersey Valley Tour: Women’s Stage 2 Results
“I felt good at the end, so I gave it one last push,” said Coldwell, who represented Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. “I gave it everything, I couldn’t even breath when I went over the line. I’m happy.”
Coldwell crossed the line eight seconds ahead of two-time Subaru National Road Series champion Corset and 10 seconds in front of Crooks.
After placing second in the opening stage time trial, Coldwell holds a tight grip on the Tour, leading the rankings by 37 seconds to Corset and 1 minute 20 seconds ahead of Crooks.
“I was looking for the yellow jersey today,” she said. “I just tried to follow the attacks and grit my teeth up the final climb.”
Peloton Cafe || 2015 Mersey Valley Tour Stage 2 – Lucy Coldwell (Image copyright Caniluna)
Coldwell comes to the Tasmanian Subaru National Road Series event in good form after winning a stage at the recent Jayco Adelaide Tour.
In wet and slippery conditions, a crash early in the 80km race disrupted things, before a breakaway duo went clear of the bunch and settled the pace down.
Taryn Heather (Bicycle Superstore) and Nicole Moerig (Boss Racing Team) gained a one minute advantage before the pair were reeled in at the base of the final climb.
The Tour concludes on Sunday with a 75 kilometre road race which includes the infamous climb out of Gunns Plains.
Highlights from the Mersey Valley Tour will be broadcast on the Nine Network’s GEM channel on Sunday, May 10 at 12noon AEST and 11.00am AWST and on Fox Sports 5 on Tuesday May 12 at 6:00pm AEST (check local guides).
Text via Cycling Australia Media Release
