Wood wins in the green and gold

By Paul Verkuylen

Oenone Wood took the afternoon’s second stage of the Tour after outsprinting team-mate Ina Teutenberg and Regina Schleicher by two bike lengths.

“I was doing the lead out for Ina and she saw a chance for me to get away, so she let me go,” a delighted Wood told onlookers as she received her prize for the win.

After a number of attacks through-out the race, with only Serena Sheridan (New Zealand) gaining a substantial gap over the field – spending more than a lap off the front on her own, the race was brought all back together shortly after they began the final of three laps on the circuit. From here the race was controlled by the sprinters teams as they each tried to set their sprinter up for the first road race of the season.

Wood was, at first, designated as the last rider to lead out High Road team sprinter, Teutenberg, but once her German team-mate saw a chance for the team to make it a possible one two on the stage, she quickly became the teams designated winner.

“The team did a really good job, starting with Alexis with about four kilometres to go. I was just the last person in the lead out before Ina and she let me go and we got first and second. It was a pretty good result for the team.

“Ina is a really experienced rider and often she will have ideas out there, but it’s really any rider in our team that sees an opportunity will go for it so.”

The circuit for today’s stage was used for the first time in the Tour, and the predominantly flat 25 kilometre loop proved perfect for the sprinters' teams like High Road.

“I was a pretty flat stage and it helped with the wind out the back. I prefer the criterium just because of the hill, but this worked out well.

“Normally we would work for Ina in a stage like this as she is the better sprinter, but this worked out well for the team,” Wood said.

Wood the current Australian champion, looked resplendent in her green and gold High Road outfit and the win in the first race of the season on Australian soil will make her one of the favorites going into the World Cup on Sunday.

“We have a fantastic team this year with a lot of the team from last year, and a couple of new ones. I think that we will be a lot stronger this year.”

Leader of the Tour after the morning’s eight kilometre stage one time trial, Christiane Soeder (Cervelo-Lifeforce) finished slightly down on the sprinters, due to the high speed of the High Road lead out. However the difference of just six seconds did little to make a dent in her 35 second advantage over Teutenberg, and she will go into the final stage wearing the purple leader’s jersey. “Today was a hard race but my team did a good job, and I tried to do a good job too. I think that tomorrow will be hard again and we will have to work hard again. I hope that the weather will be fine like today, I am looking forward to it.”

With just 25 seconds separating the first two riders on general classification tomorrow’s final stage looks set to be an exciting showdown between the Cervelo–Lifeforce and High Road teams.

Both Soeder and Teutenberg are showing good form, and with Teutenberg having trained well all winter it could come down to the wire.

“I have been in California all winter, so I have been training well. I am in good shape, but the results so far have come as a bit of a surprise. With the team we hope to do well in the World Cup on Sunday,” she said.

Stage 2 - Thursday 21 February: Portarlington Road Circuit

Photos

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by John Veage

• The bunch climbing out of Portarlington in Victoria.
• The peloton set a steady pace early in the race.
• The bunch rolls by a flat St Leonards coastline.
• The scenic St Leonards coastline.
• Kiwi rider Serena Sheridan (New Zealand) on her break lap.
• Australians Bridie O'Donnell and Sara Carrigan make an attempt.
• High Road also took the Best Young rider jersey with Linda Villumsen.
• The bunch stuck together for most of the race.
• Oenone Wood (Team High Road) wins the race while team-mate Ina Tuetenberg starts the celebrations.
• Oenone Wood and Ina Tuetenberg celebrate their Team High Road victory after crossing the line.
• Oenone Wood (Team High Road) is all smiles after her victory.
• Stage 2 podium (L-R): Ina Teutenberg (Team High Road), Oenone Wood (Team High Road) and Regina Schleicher (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung).
• General Classification podium (L-R): Ina Teutenberg (Team High Road), Christiane Soeder (Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team) and Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini Selle Italia).

Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• Toni Bradshaw (New Zealand) leads Eva Lutz (Nürnberger) out of Portarlington.
• Giant Pro Cycling is heading into its third season as an international team.
• Webcor are riding the Geelong Tour for the first time.
• Charlotte Becker (Nürnberger)
• Australian TT Champ Bridie O'Donnell (Australian National Team)
• Serena Sheridan (New Zealand) made a solo breakaway attempt.
• Landlink on the front to chase down Kiwi Sheridan.
• Oenone Wood (Team High Road) was happy with her win.
• Stage 2 podium (L-R): Ina Teutenberg (Team High Road), Oenone Wood (Team High Road) and Regina Schleicher (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung).
• Linda Villumsen (Team High Road) kept the Under 23 lead.
• It was a double celebration for Team High Road.

Results

1 Oenone Wood (Aus) Team High Road                                  1.57.19
2 Ina Teutenberg (Ger) Team High Road                                      
3 Regina Schleicher (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung                   
4 Miho Oki (Jpn) Menikini Selle Italia                                     
5 Lorian Graham (Aus) Vrienden Van Het Platteland                          
6 Vicki Whitelaw (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team                         
7 Sarah Düster (Ger) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team                    
8 Tina Mayolo Pic (USA) Vrienden Van Het Platteland                        
9 Emma Rickards (AUS) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team               
10 Peta Mullens (Aus) Australian National Team                             
11 Lang Meng (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling                                       
12 Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Menikini Selle Italia                           
13 Lauren Franges (USA) US National Team                                   
14 Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Australian National Team                         
15 Jenny Macpherson (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team                      
16 Carlee Taylor (Aus) QAS                                                 
17 Kristin Armstrong Savola (USA) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team       
18 Thresa Cliff-Ryan (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team                     
19 Amanda Spratt (Aus) Australian National Team                            
20 Emma Mackie (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team                             
21 Yong Li Liu (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling                                     
22 Toni Bradshaw (NZl) BikeNZ                                              
23 Catherine Cheatley (NZl) BikeNZ                                         
24 Belinda Goss (Aus) VIS                                                  
25 Charlotte Becker (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung                   
26 Marina Riomoli (Ita) Menikini Selle Italia                              
27 Carissa Wilkes (NZl) BikeNZ                                             
28 Ruth Corset (Aus) QAS                                                   
29 Katheryn Mattis (USA) Webcor Builders Cycling Team                      
30 Judith Arndt (Ger) Team High Road                                       
31 Christiane Soeder (Aut) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team              
32 Suzanne De Goede (Ned) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung                   
33 Helen Kelly (Aus) VIS                                                   
34 Fei Wang (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling                                        
35 Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung                  
36 Felicia Greer-Gomez (Can) Vrienden Van Het Platteland                   
37 Hayley Wright (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team                       
38 Serena Sheridan (NZl) BikeNZ                                            
39 Carla Ryan (Aus) Australian National Team                               
40 Chantal Beltman (Ned) Team High Road                                    
41 Alex Wrubleski (Can) Webcor Builders Cycling Team                       
42 Li Chen (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling                                         
43 Katherine O'shea (Aus) VIS                                              
44 Priska Doppmann (Swi) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team                
45 Sharon Laws (GBr) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team                           
46 Natalie Bates (Aus) Menikini Selle Italia                               
47 Josephine Tomic (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team                       
48 Linda Villumsen Serup (Den) Team High Road                              
49 Tahlia Paskin (Aus) QAS                                                 
50 Alison Powers (USA) US National Team                                    
51 Carmen Mcnellis (USA) US National Team                                  
52 Christine Thorburn (USA) Webcor Builders Cycling Team                   
53 Kim Schoonbaert (Bel) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team                         
54 Brei Gudsell (NZl) BikeNZ                                               
55 Karin Thurig (Swi) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team                   
56 Linn Torp (Nor) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team                               
57 Erinne Willock (Can) Webcor Builders Cycling Team                       
58 Jemma O'brien (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani                                
59 Marina Duvnjak (NZl) BikeNZ                                             
60 Min Gao (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling                                         
61 Liz Young (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team                           
62 Kathryn Watt (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team                            
63 Sara Carrigan (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team                           
64 Eva Lutz (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung                           
65 Lauren Kitchen (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani                               
66 Trixi Worrack (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung                      
67 Leonie Burford (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani                               
68 Alexis Rhodes (Aus) Team High Road                                      
69 Christina Ruiter (USA) US National Team                                 
70 Katharine Carroll (USA) US National Team                                
71 Jaccolien Wallaard (Ned) Vrienden Van Het Platteland                    
72 Monique Hanley (Aus) VIS                                                
73 Sorcha Flett (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team                            
74 Sheree Mckenzie (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team                     
75 Bridie O'donnell (Aus) Australian National Team                         
76 Kerryn Charman (Aus) VIS                                                
77 Patricia Palmer (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team                     
78 Xiao Mei Huang (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling                                  
79 Ashlee Ankudinoff (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani                            
80 Louise Kerr (Aus) QAS                                                   
81 Zoe Appel (Aus) QAS                                                  
82 Nicole Whitburn (Aus) VIS                                               
83 Amy Dombroski (USA) Webcor Builders Cycling Team                        
84 Carly Hibberd (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team                       
85 Olivia Gollan (Aus) Menikini Selle Italia                               
86 Rachel Neylan (Aus) QAS                                                 
87 Rochelle Gilmore (Aus) Menikini Selle Italia                            
88 Lisa Friend (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani                                  
DNF Michelle Mewing (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team                    
 
General classification after stage 2
 
1 Christiane Soeder (Aut) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team        2.08.51
2 Ina Teutenberg (Ger) Team High Road                                  0.27
3 Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Menikini Selle Italia                        0.32
4 Leonie Burford (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani                            0.51
5 Katheryn Mattis (USA) Webcor Builders Cycling Team                   0.56
6 Kristin Armstrong Savola (USA) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team    0.57
7 Oenone Wood (Aus) Team High Road                                     0.58
8 Alexis Rhodes (Aus) Team High Road                                   1.02
9 Judith Arndt (Ger) Team High Road                                        
10 Alex Wrubleski (Can) Webcor Builders Cycling Team                   1.03
11 Linda Villumsen Serup (Den) Team High Road                          1.08
12 Vicki Whitelaw (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team                    1.09
13 Christine Thorburn (USA) Webcor Builders Cycling Team               1.12
14 Charlotte Becker (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung               1.16
15 Chantal Beltman (Ned) Team High Road                                    
16 Alison Powers (USA) US National Team                                1.17
17 Sarah Düster (Ger) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team               1.20
18 Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung              1.21
19 Amanda Spratt (Aus) Australian National Team                        1.23
20 Sara Carrigan (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team                       1.24
21 Lauren Franges (USA) US National Team                               1.25
22 Lorian Graham (Aus) Vrienden Van Het Platteland                         
23 Suzanne De Goede (Ned) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung               1.26
24 Peta Mullens (Aus) Australian National Team                         1.27
25 Sharon Laws (GBr) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team                       1.28
26 Trixi Worrack (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung                  1.29
27 Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Australian National Team                     1.30
28 Karin Thurig (Swi) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team                   
29 Serena Sheridan (NZl) BikeNZ                                        1.31
30 Miho Oki (Jpn) Menikini Selle Italia                                1.32
31 Natalie Bates (Aus) Menikini Selle Italia                           1.33
32 Carla Ryan (Aus) Australian National Team                           1.34
33 Christina Ruiter (USA) US National Team                             1.35
34 Katharine Carroll (USA) US National Team                                
35 Jenny Macpherson (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team                  1.37
36 Felicia Greer-Gomez (Can) Vrienden Van Het Platteland               1.38
37 Priska Doppmann (Swi) Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team            1.39
38 Carlee Taylor (Aus) QAS                                             1.43
39 Ruth Corset (Aus) QAS                                               1.44
40 Erinne Willock (Can) Webcor Builders Cycling Team                   1.47
41 Kathryn Watt (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team                        1.48
42 Marina Duvnjak (NZl) BikeNZ                                         1.50
43 Fei Wang (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling                                    1.52
44 Eva Lutz (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung                       1.57
45 Emma Rickards (AUS)  Cervelo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team              
46 Lang Meng (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling                                   2.01
47 Toni Bradshaw (NZl) BikeNZ                                          2.03
48 Catherine Cheatley (NZl) BikeNZ                                     2.05
49 Belinda Goss (Aus) VIS                                                  
50 Josephine Tomic (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team                   2.06
51 Carissa Wilkes (NZl) BikeNZ                                         2.09
52 Helen Kelly (Aus) VIS                                               2.10
53 Regina Schleicher (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung                  
54 Carmen Mcnellis (USA) US National Team                              2.15
55 Tina Mayolo Pic (USA) Vrienden Van Het Platteland                   2.16
56 Yong Li Liu (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling                                 2.17
57 Brei Gudsell (NZl) BikeNZ                                           2.20
58 Katherine O'shea (Aus) VIS                                          2.25
59 Liz Young (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team                           
60 Bridie O'donnell (Aus) Australian National Team                         
61 Emma Mackie (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team                         2.31
62 Tahlia Paskin (Aus) QAS                                             2.33
63 Lauren Kitchen (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani                               
64 Min Gao (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling                                     2.36
65 Thresa Cliff-Ryan (Aus) Landlink ACTAS Cycling Team                 2.37
66 Jemma O'brien (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani                            2.43
67 Li Chen (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling                                     2.50
68 Louise Kerr (Aus) QAS                                               2.52
69 Jaccolien Wallaard (Ned) Vrienden Van Het Platteland                2.53
70 Hayley Wright (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team                   2.56
71 Linn Torp (Nor) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team                           2.57
72 Marina Riomoli (Ita) Menikini Selle Italia                          2.59
73 Kim Schoonbaert (Bel) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team                     3.02
74 Monique Hanley (Aus) VIS                                            3.03
75 Kirsty Broun (Aus) QAS                                              3.10
76 Xiao Mei Huang (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling                              3.15
77 Nicole Whitburn (Aus) VIS                                           3.19
78 Sheree Mckenzie (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team                 3.23
79 Ashlee Ankudinoff (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani                        3.41
80 Kerryn Charman (Aus) VIS                                            3.45
81 Amy Dombroski (USA) Webcor Builders Cycling Team                    3.47
82 Patricia Palmer (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team                 3.57
83 Sorcha Flett (Aus) Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team                        4.00
84 Olivia Gollan (Aus) Menikini Selle Italia                           4.03
85 Carly Hibberd (Aus) MB Cycles Womens Cycling Team                   4.21
86 Rachel Neylan (Aus) QAS                                             8.28
87 Rochelle Gilmore (Aus) Menikini Selle Italia                        9.07
88 Lisa Friend (Aus) NSWIS - CBD - Degani                             10.18