I thought I would try something new in this race report, it’s written in a slightly scientific way so you can just skip to the bits you want to know about! Hope you enjoy.
Outline:
Tour of the King Valley was round 5 of the National Road Series and consisted of 4 stages across 3 days in the following order: ITT, criterium, road race & road race. The race would cover almost 260km in total, including 5 hill climbs, numerous sprints, 1 mean dirt climb known as the Strade Nero and hopefully some wine tasting at the end of it all.
Nic Moerig soaking up the vitamin D before stage one.
Introduction:
The Liv/giant – Shimano team for this round was strong, it boasted the climbing prowess of Nic Moerig and Bec Locke. Add to that the sprint power of Black Caviar and the tactical nous of Naomi Williams. We were also happy to welcome back from the dirt the ‘little ninja’ Sarah Riley who would no doubt impress over the Strade Nero climb.
Background:
I was the only team member to race this round in 2013, and it was something I would rather forget. It was easily my worst tour ever. To sum it up I had 2 flats in the criterium and was taken down in a crash 10km into the first road stage. Not ideal! I spent the rest of the day sitting at the winery by a camp fire and didn’t get anywhere near the famous Strade Nero climb. I was sure this year could not get any worse.
This is my serious face
Stages/Results :
Friday started off early with a 20km ITT out at the Dal Zotto winery in Whitfield. It may have been a bit nippy in the morning but we were greeted with sunshine and light winds for this stage which was going to make for some fast rides. Bec Wiasak continued her domination of the ITT taking the win easily from Ash Ankudinoff and Ruth Corset. I finished in a respectable 20th with Sarah, Bec, Nic and Naomi not far behind.
Naomi Williams looking comfortable as always
From there it was back towards Wangaratta for the criterium on the Aerodrome. Doing a criterium on a Aerodrome sounds very dramatic, but unfortunately the race was far from it. The long 3.2km circuit and light winds meant that getting a break to stick was going to be near impossible.
I had been focusing on this stage for a possible win and a good dig at the sprinters jersey. Unfortunately luck was not on my side again and I suffered a broken chain mid race which saw me miss one of the intermediate sprints! Ahh! A huge thanks goes to the Bicycle Superstore team who had all the bits and pieces to get my chain fixed and me back out there in time for the 3rd intermediate sprint which I won. Positioning was key to wining this stage due to the technical finish, Bec Wiasak got this perfect and took the win again.
Taking the 3rd sprint prime
Saturday was the queen stage of the tour. A 102km road race from Sam Miranda winery out over the Strade Nero and back. This was where any GC changes would be made. The climbs would be decisive, likewise the wind direction on the return section, as there was a long flat drag back to the finish would could see sprinters chase back on in the right conditions.
Bec Locke found herself in the days main break and went about mopping up QOM points over all the 3 climbs to put herself in the jersey at the end of the day. After taking the first intermediate sprint I was left to enjoying the dirt climb and dust with the back of the bunch and following convoy. Sarah and Nic were sitting comfortably in the main bunch and keeping an eye on the chase to the break.
With a slight head wind all the way back to the finish I was unsure that the race would regroup, however Ruth Corset had made her move over the last QOM and bridged to the break. This initiated a chase from behind by race leader Bec Wiasak. As a result a large group formed at the front of the race and no-one wanted to push the pace too early so the race came back together with 20km to go. A bunch sprint was on the menu again with positioning into the final corner key. Bec Wiasak again showed her strength and took the win.
Lil Ninja
The last stage on Sunday was a 89km road stage with 2 QOM’s, less climbing than the 3rd stage so it was possible for a sneaky break to stay away today. Which is exactly what happened, 3 riders snuck away after the 2nd climb and worked well together to hold on for the win with Crystal Weymss of Bicycle Superstore taking the win.
I again focused on the early sprint points but suffered a flat tyre 300m from the 1st sprint – what luck! Bec Locke had another great day taking points on all the climbs to secure the jersey for the tour. Nic and Sarah again rode well to support Bec in the climbs.
Bec Locke and QOM jersey sponsor Peta Stewart
Conclusion:
I love this race, the variety in stages, the climbs, the scenery, the organisation are all what make it fabulous. The following were some of the teams favourite moments from the tour:
- The weather – sun and light winds all weekend, I even got burnt!
- Bec Locke taking home the QOM jersey
- The Strade Nero climb which was both fantastic (Sarah) and horrible (Nic M)
- For me, wheesing on the dust being kicked up by the convoy during the Strade Nero climb – must learn to climb faster so I can get away from them!
- Getting the support of super DS/photographer Kirsty Baxter for the weekend
- Wine tasting post tour at Sam Miranda, their wines are fabulous!
Acknowledgements:
A huge thanks to Sam Miranda Winery for putting on the event. The event ran like clockwork which would not be possible without all the efforts from Cycling Victoria, the commissaries, marshalls, scouts, police, photographers, media and volunteers that put in their time and effort, to all those people thank you!
Thanks to Kirsty Baxter for giving up her weekend to spend it driving very slowly behind us. We couldn’t do it without you chick. And of course a huge thanks to Liv and Shimano for putting their faith in us and supporting us to do what we love.
Sample some wine…don’t mind if I do! Super swanny/DS/photographer Kirsty Baxter
Bunch Kicks and Black Socks 