Large Australian presence in NZCT International women's cycling tour
Tuesday 9 February 2010, 1:48PM
By NZCT Women's Cycling Tour of New Zealand
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Sydney-sider Rochelle Gilmore is expected to be very much to the forefront among a powerful Australian contingent in the NZCT Women’s Cycling Tour of New Zealand from February 24 to 28.
Gilmore, a winner of the first two stages, and the sprint classification in last year’s New Zealand tour, will come to this month’s event in good shape, having competed well in events across the Tasman through January and finishing in fourth place overall in this week Ladies Tour of Qatar in the Middle East. Her international successes have included winning two World Cup rounds and being a silver medallist at the world track championships.
Gilmore will be coming with her Italian Lotto professional team, alongside fellow Australians Josephine Tomic, Vicki Whitelaw, and Rachel Neylan, and South Africans Lynette Burger and Ashleigh Moolman, which should provide formidable opposition to the NZCT New Zealand national team. At least 29 Australian riders are expected to participate, most of them in four all-Australian teams, a national squad, another from the Australian Institute of Sport, and trade teams, RACE and Prime State. Tour director Jorge Sandoval believes this is the largest number of Australians he has had in his women’s tour.
While cycling is very much her business, the attractive Gilmore still likes to look good, which she happily reveals on her website www.rochellegilmore.com
Sandoval certainly expects the Australians to provide many of the tour fireworks given January is a busy month in their cycling season. “They will arrive race-fit, and with the course a hilly one they will be well prepared for what lies ahead,” he said.
The NZCT tour plays a key role in women’s cycling. It is the only international race catering for them in Oceania this year, and it carries a UCI rating of 2.2.
This year’s tour will be even more demanding than previously with the riders required to twice traverse the Pahiatua Track as the event ventures to the Manawatu for the first time, in addition to having to climb the Te Wharau hill in the Wairarapa. It starts with a stage from Martinborough to Masterton before spending two days in the Palmerston North area, and returning to Masterton before finishing on Wellington’s Lambton Quay with a circuit race on closed streets.
NZCT regional advisory committee chairman, Paul Elenio, is impressed with the race organisation, and the level of international interest it has generated.
“NZCT is thrilled to be part of this exciting event, and although the Australians are going to be tough competition we’re supporting the Kiwi competitors every step of the way,” Elenio said.
Some of the leading riders are:
Victoria Whitelaw 1st Stage 5 TT Giro d'Italia Femminile ITA - 2008
1st Stage 6 Tour de l'Aude FRA - 2008
3rd Indiv Pursuit Australian Titles NSW - 2008
15th Road World Cup Geelong AUS - 2008
16th time trial UCI Road Cycling World Championships ITA – 2008
Lauren Kitchen 1st U19 Road Race Australian Championships NSW
1st Stage 2 Jayco Bay Series Classic AUS
2nd Team Pursuit Australian Track Championships NSW
7th U19 Time Trial Australian Road Championships NSW
9th Overall Jayco Bay Series Classic AUS
Amanda Spratt 2007 Oceania Champion
2004 World Junior Champion
2003 World Junior Champion
Tiffany Cromwell 20091st Mountains classification Redlands Classic USA
20091st Stage 2 Sea Otter Classic USA
20091st Stage 2 time trial Route de France FRA
2008 Winner Sea Otter Pro Road Race USA
2008 Winner Garret GP USA
TEAMS;
Australia NTID Team Prime State Team - Australia
Alexandre Carle Nicole Whitburn
Sarah Roy Rebecca Locke
Bronwyn Ryan Carma Watson
Laura Luxford Irene Digenis
Rebecca Halliday
Elizabeth Jacobs Australian Individual riders
Anna Kauffmann
AIS Australia Women’s Cycling Laura Medley
Tiffany Cromwell Nicholina Orlic
Kirsty Broun
Shara Gillow
Lauren Kitchen
Amanda Spratt
Carly Light
R.A.C.E. Team - Australia
Kendelle Hodges
Liza Rachetto
Rebecca Domange
Emma Lawson
Chole McConville
Felicity Wilson
Lotto Ladies Team
Lynette Burger South Africa
Rochelle Gilmore Australia
Ashleigh Moolman South Africa
Josephine Tomic Australia
Vicki Whitelaw Australia
Rachel Neylan Australia