Rendition Homes Santos Women’s Cup
Two podium finishes for the Honda Dream Team at the Rendition Homes Santos Women’s Cup.
The Honda Dream Team made a late decision to add the Women’s TDU support event to our race schedule with the ambition to promote the race- hoping for an official Tour Down Under event in the years to come.
It was a great opportunity to race on Sunday afternoon at Rymil Park in front of thousands of spectators who were gathering to watch the team’s presentation of the men’s TDU.
We raced in Adelaide as a team of 4; Megan Dunn, Tiffany Cromwell, Peta Mullens and myself. Josephine Tomic and Melissa Hoskins were unable to compete due to track commitments.
On day one of the two day event we raced really well until the final meters of the sprint where I lost the race for our team ?. I was positioned well with 200m to go but unfortunately I underestimated the power and speed of Chloe Hosking who jumped early on the opposite side of the road. I knew the line wasn’t far away and the race was lost. I finished 2nd.
I was unable to start the 2nd and final day’s racing due to severe allergy symptoms- but our 3 remaining women we’re fired up to race again!
Day two’s race in Victoria Park on Monday was interrupted by a horrific freak accident involving 3 times world rowing champion Amber Haliday. Amber clipped a wheel and fell heavy and awkwardly on her face. The race was neutralised then stopped for about 15 minutes while Amber was placed in an ambulance. As soon as the race restarted the attacks begun and the race was aggressive but in the end it came down to a sprint. Even though I was not present as the Honda Dream Team’s sprinter- Peta Mullens still managed an impressive 3rd place behind Netti Edmondson, and HTC’s Chloe Hosking. With the support of Tiffany Cromwell and Megan Dunn, Peta was able to be amongst Australia’s fastest sprinters at the end of the 50 minute criterium in Adelaide.
Amber Haliday remains in hospital (19/01/2010) in a stable but critical condition with head trauma and facial injuries. I and the Honda Dream Team wish Amber and her family all our positive thoughts and support during the next weeks.
The Honda Dream Team have completed the summer season with 12 podium finishes from 13 races.
- 9 WINS
- 2 x 2nd places
- 1 x 3rd place
My next race will be the tour of Qatar from the 2nd to 4th of February.