Fresh start brings fresh hope for Shara Gillow in women’s cycling time trial

THREE-time national time trial champion Shara Gillow has emerged from her toughest year on the bike with hopes a fresh start with new team Rabobank-Liv brings about a return to form.

Shara Gillow (Qld) on her way to winning the Cycling Australia Road National Championships Elite Women's Individual Time Trial along the Avenue of Honour at Lake Wendouree, Victoria

THREE-time national time trial champion Shara Gillow has emerged from her toughest year on the bike with hopes a fresh start with new team Rabobank-Liv brings about a return to form.

Gillow, 27, sets about trying to reclaim her Australian TT crown at Buninyong today in the 29.3km race against the clock. She Gillow has joined the Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team after three years with Australian team Orica-AIS.

The field includes defending champion Felicity Wardlaw who ended Gillow’s run of three consecutive titles last year, Taryn Heather who is also expected to challenge for the podium, and Victorian Tessa Fabry who might surprise a few.

But the rider who was expected to start the TT as favourite, Katrin Garfoot, will miss this week’s national championships as she recovers from a knee injury. She was fourth last year before a stunning rise in form helped her to a shock bronze medal result at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Originally published as Fresh start brings fresh hope for Shara Gillow in women’s cycling time trial