Australia in Green & Gold NZCT Womens Tour

Feb 25 '09 - Wairarapa  The Australia National Team have both the green and gold jerseys after day 1 of the NZCT Women's Tour of New Zealand. Rochelle Gilmore won two of the three intermediate sprints as well as the final race over the line to finish the stage with the sprint competition's green jersey and the overall leader's yellow jersey.

Gilmore wins the final sprint (c)RoadCycling.co.nz

Race Start (c)RoadCycling.co.nz

The pace of the peloton today was subdued, with many of the riders saying they are taking it easy in anticipation of the big day on Friday. Friday's stage 3 race finishes up the almost 500m peak of Admirals Hill. Gilmore expects the yellow jersey to be decided on this climb, "the toughest person will win this tour, and it will be up admirals hill."

The Australian's have three specialists climbers in their team, but they face some tough competition from the strong field of kiwi riders over the next two days.
 

Jorge Sandoval is the race director for this NZCT Womens Tour of NZ.  He has organised a very well run event with huge support from the local police.  There are twelve police vehicles ensuring the cyclists have a safe tour by managing rolling road closures around the riders.  "Let us not forget the New Zealand Police Force, whose efforts and commitment to the safe conduct of this event will help to consolidate the reputation of the sport in New Zealand and the promotion of the event internationally" said Sandoval in thanks.

Stage 1 results

1st Rochelle Gilmore, (Aus) Australia National Team
2nd Chloe Hosking, (Aus) Mercedez Benz Team
3 Peta Mullens, (Aus) Australia National Team
 

"Today was a day for the sprinters" explained Under 23 leader Chloe Hosking.  "There was one power climb but the peloton all bunched back up in the downhill" she said.

Full General Classification and Stage 1 Results now published
 

Hosking, Gilmore & Mullens, Stage 1 winners (c)RoadCycling.co.nz

Leaders Jerseys

• R&R Queen of the Mountain, - Ruth Corset (Aus), Champion Systems cycling team
  
• Lithprint Sprint leader - Rochelle Gilmore (Aus), Australia National Team 
  
• Cardino Under 23 leader - Chloe Hosking (Aus), Mercedes Benz Team
  
• NZCT Tour leader - Rochelle Gilmore (Aus), Australia National Team
  
  

Jersey Winners, Hosking, Corset, Gilmore (c)RoadCycling.co.nz

Related articles

• Full results
• Stage 3 report Olympic Rower wins Tour of New Zealand
• Stage 2 report NZCT Womens Cycle Tour Heats up
• Stage 1 report Australia in Green & Gold
• Photo Gallery