Australian block continues with Geelong Classic Criterium

The Lifeplus-Wahoo squad rode fiercely in the inaugural Geelong Classic Criterium on Wednesday in the opening race of the Cadel Road Race Festival.

Having had a successful racing campaign in Australia so far at the Santos Tour Down Under, Down Under Criterium and RDL GRVL, the team were determined to make an impression as they hopped from Adelaide to Geelong.

Covering 25 laps of a 2km circuit around Geelong’s Eastern Gardens, the race was a fantastic hit-out for the squad ahead of Saturday’s Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race as part of the Women’s WorldTour.

The first few laps saw relentless attacking from the bunch, with many solo and group breaks attempting to push on the pace and string out the peloton. Kate Richardson was feeling on fire as she managed to get in a break, emulating her strength from the first stage of the Tour Down Under to stay in contention.

As Richardson’s group was reeled back in, more attacks came, with the pace remaining high as breaks continued to be caught to keep the peloton fast and together. Kaja Rysz, Alicia Gonzalez and Kristyna Burlova moved through the bunch well, while Heidi Franz continued to impress by getting in a small break with eight laps remaining.

As the bell rang in the final lap, the team were in a fantastic position, with Franz, Rysz, Burlova and Gonzalez all primed to lead out for a sprint finish, but a crash in the last corner before the finish line foiled the squad’s plans.

A bunch sprint finish saw the team miss out on a podium, with our riders recovering from the crash to roll across the line. Richardson managed to avoid the crash to finish 16th, while Gonzalez and Rysz came in 29th and 33rd, respectively. Karin Soderqvist finished 48th, Burlova came home 51st and Franz finished 67th.

The team will be looking for better luck at this Saturday’s Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race as part of the Women’s WorldTour.