Aggressive race in store as Games places on the line
By Les Clarke in Mt Torrens
With a Commonwealth Games berth on the line, Friday's women's road race is expected to be jam-packed with attacking riding on a course suited to making an early move - if you've got the legs. At 97.5km and with minimal climbing, the Mt Torrens course is challenging enough to make a selection if the right move sticks, but simple enough to offer something for everyone - particularly the sprinters.
A quality field
Reigning national champion Lorian Graham will be missing from the field following the AIS tragedy in Germany last July - her injuries are such that she hasn't been able to return to racing to defend her title. Alexis Rhodes and Kate Nichols will take to the start, however, with Rhodes making a miraculous comeback to enjoy a great win on stage 3 of the Bay Classic. She'll be looking to bring some of that form into the main event on Friday.
Riders such as Oenone Wood, Olivia Gollan, Sara Carrigan and Rochelle Gilmore will be looking to take not only the coveted national champion's jersey, but a place in the team for Melbourne in March. After a tough race against the clock on the opening day of the national championships, many of the starters for the road race will be grateful for the fact that there is minimal climbing in the almost 98 kilometres.
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