Hoskins Earns Silver in Santos Cup

Orica-AIS opened its Santos Women’s Cup account with its riders sweeping the podium in the criterium race held yesterday in Adelaide.

In a race affected by several crashes, the Orica-AIS trio of Loes Gunnewijk, WAIS rider Melissa Hoskins and Netti Edmondson stayed safe to take the honours.

The women’s elite field raced over a flat fast dog leg shaped course for 35mins plus two laps.

“Shara (Gillow) and I were away in a move that looked good at first,” explained 33-year-old Gunnewijk.

“There was some attacking behind us while were away, and everything came back together. After we were caught, the speed went down a little. We were at the bridge before the last corner, and I thought: ‘Oh, this is the perfect moment.’ That’s when I decided to go.”
 
“I went full on in that corner,” Gunnewijk continued. “I had a gap right away. I thought I would ride hard and have a look later. I expected to see somebody coming, and I knew if somebody was coming, there would probably be a team-mate in the move. With two of us, we could play.”

“If people join me, we make other plans, but first they have to catch me. They didn’t do it, so it’s a nice victory.”

Late in the race, former Australian time trial champion Bridie O’Donnell tried to bridge the gap to Gunnewijk.

But Orica-AIS rider Jessie MacLean joined her and did no work in the chase.

They were caught on the last lap and Hoskins and Edmondson won the sprint for second and third, six seconds behind Gunnewijk.

There were several crashes during the street race, including one involving Edmondson, but it appeared no riders were injured seriously.

“That was our goal, to make the race really hard, directly from the gun,” said Gunnewijk.

The three race series is comprised of the city criterium, followed by a road race around Angaston today and a final criterium in Prospect on Tuesday 21 January.

But a nearby bushfire and tricky wind conditions means riders will not know until Monday morning whether race two goes ahead.

“I hope it will go on, but it’s unfortunate for the people there that have to deal with the bushfires,” said Gunnewijk.

“That’s the saddest part of all and I hope they take care.”

– Central Cycling