Gilmore back to challenging the World’s best!
Gatineau Classic, Canada.
PRESS RELEASE:
Faren Honda’s Rochelle Gilmore is showing she is one of the World’s best sprinters by claiming her fourth UCI podium result during the past month.
With Olympic selection playing heavily in the back of their minds, many of the World’s top sprinters took to the line in the 28th edition of the Liberty Classic held in Philadelphia.
The race played out over four laps of a 14 mile circuit including the infamous Manayunk wall, a 1 mile climb which could only be compared to the World renowned Mur de Huy in the European Classic Fleche Wallone.
The wall however proved no obstacle for Gilmore as she floated up the climb each lap in top position, ensuring she could conserve enough energy for the long windy drag to the finish.
A last minute attack by Orica-GreenEdge in the final kilometres put stress on the sprinters however Gilmore remained calm by holding position amongst the jostle as the stronger teams’ leadout trains lifted the pace and took over control.
Philadelphia Liberty Classic.
After only being edged out of 1st position in what was a perfect textbook finish for German rider Ina Yoko Teutenberg and her Specialized-Lululemon team, Gilmore says she looks forward to continuing to challenge arguably the World’s strongest sprinter.
“I am content with the result in Philadelphia given my lack of specific sprint training as I am still on my way up from injury.”
“If I could only beat the World’s best sprinter once, I would love for it to be riding for Australia in London,” Gilmore said.
Given the similarities between the Philadelphia Liberty Classic course and London’s Box Hill circuits, Gilmore’s Olympic preparation is right on track as she proved in Philly that she can climb amongst the best, and sprint amongst them too.
The Australian London Olympic team is due to be announced in the next couple of days.
Rochelle gained a second place in China’s 2.1 tour, another second place in Canada’s 1.1 Gatineau Classic and then, a third place in Idaho just before her impressive second place in Philadelphia’s 1.1 Classic! Rochelle is back!