Women’s Tour Down Under: It’s not over yet in race for green

WITH crazy crosswinds and heavy showers, Stage 3 from Tailem Bend to Hahndorf was definitely the hardest of the Tour so far. But it was a cracker of a finale.

The peloton in the Women’s Tour Down Under. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

WITH crazy crosswinds and heavy showers, Saturday’s stage from Tailem Bend to Hahndorf was definitely the hardest of the Tour so far.

But it was a cracker of a finale.

Mitchelton-Scott was pretty keen to split the race from the start so we went straight into 20km of crosswinds where Amy Cure, Rachele Barbieri and I managed to make the split so our team was in a good position.

It all came back together with 40km of headwind before Linda Villumsen attacked solo.

UniSA then started attacking but unfortunately it backfired because Kat Garfoot, who was in the leader’s jersey, missed the split of 20 or so and ultimately Amanda Spratt and Lauren Stephens’ attack across to the leader. From there it was UniSA trying to bring it all back.

Amanda Spratt won Stage 3 ahead of Katrin Garfoot. Picture: AAP

Our Amy Cure managed to make that split and was riding well in the hills so we worked for her.

Leading into the QOM we tried to put her in a good position but it seemed we all ran out of gas and rode into the line as best we could.

If the stage wasn’t so hard early on, it would have been better for Amy and I, and our team, but we gave it everything we could.

I went into the stage with the sprinter’s jersey, but there were 16 points at the finish so Spratty took the sprint jersey as well as the overall lead. But it’s not over yet, with today’s final stage criterium kicking off at 5.20pm in the city.

There are three prime sprints with points on offer and one at the finish, so there’s a chance to get it back.

Our main plan will be to try to win the stage, and if we can also manage to come home with the green jersey it would be fantastic for our team.

Originally published as Women’s Tour Down Under: It’s not over yet in race for green