Santos Women’s Tour: Valentina Scandolara holds off fast-chasing bunch to win stage one

Italian Valentina Scandolara (Orica-AIS) turned a perfectly timed late race attack into a solo victory on the opening stage of the Santos Women’s Tour. Crossing the line six seconds ahead of a decimated bunch, Scandolara punched the air in celebration. Lauren Kitchen (Roxsolt) edged out Melissa Hoskins (Orica-AIS) in the bunch sprint to take second place.

“I feel very happy,” said Scandolara. “I was excited to race. I watched my teammates race at the Bay Crits and the Nationals, and I was ready to begin my season in Australia.”

The first stage of the four day event covered 59km from Woodside to Murray Bridge. The profile suggested it would be a day for the sprinters, but quiet talk at the stage start suggested several teams had previewed the course and anticipated a hard day on the bike.

The race was fast and aggressive from the gun. The recently crowned U23 double national champion Shannon Malseed (Holden) put in the first attack of the day inside the opening kilometres of the race. A constant stream of breakaway attempts and counter-moves followed. Until Scandolara’s race-winning move, no rider was able to gain more than a handful of seconds over the hungry bunch, and all attempts to sneak away proved futile.

“Today played out quite similar to what we had discussed,” said Hoskins, who finished in third place. “We had the hills at the start, and the first few climbs were aggressive. We made moves. We made splits. The bunch was too fresh to break up at that point, but we were ready to do damage when the crosswinds came.”

And do damage they did. Orica-AIS pushed the pace and split the peloton to pieces around the 40 kilometre mark. A freight train crossing caused a temporarily neutralisation, but race officials carefully recorded the time gaps between the four groups that had taken shape before the stoppage. When the race re-started, the first group of approximately 25 riders set off with a nearly half-minute advantage over group two.

“We capitalised on the crosswinds and put a few teams in the hurt box,” noted Hoskins. “We knew we had the strength and the numbers.”

Scandolara accelerated away from the front group confidentially. She was hopeful her move would have staying power and knew that if it didn’t her teammates were resting behind her, readying themselves for the sprint. Coming into Murray Bridge, Scandolara had a 23 second advantage.

“I knew it was the right move because either I would go to the finish or my teammates would be ready for the finish,” explained Scandolara. “I was feeling pretty confident. Every way was good for the team, and we always work for the team. I was sure it was the right time for the move.”

Wiggle Honda initially took up the chase until they lost pre-race favourite Giorgia Bronzini to a mechanical. Roxsolt attempted to bring things back together to set up Kitchen in the sprint, but they ran out of road to close the gap. Kitchen was forced to settle for best of the bunch.

“We knew it was going to be pretty close,” said Hoskins. “We waited and waited and waited. I picked the wrong wheel to sprint off, but it didn’t matter. We got the win in the end.”

“There wasn’t much collaboration in the group,” noted Kitchen. “We essentially sprinted second, which I managed to to pull off for the girls. We’re looking to hold onto that general classification spot tomorrow and hopefully support the two jersey we now hold. We have Loren Rowney in the KOM jersey, and I’m in the sprint jersey.”

Racing continues tomorrow in Adelaide’s East End. Scandolara will start the 40 minute criterium in the turquoise jersey of race leader.

“I would like to try to keep it,” said Scandolara. “We will see day by day. I will talk to the team about how we manage the race.”

Stage 1 Result

				Time/Gap	Bonus
1.	32	Valentina SCANDOLARA (OGE)		1h22:57
2.	54	Lauren KITCHEN (RXS)		+6
3.	34	Melissa HOSKINS (OGE)		+6
4.	31	Loes GUNNEWIJK (OGE)		+6
5.	65	Chloe HOSKING (WHT)		+6
6.	1	Ruth CORSET (TRH)		+6
7.	35	Lizzie WILLIAMS (OGE)		+6
8.	52	Loren ROWNEY (RXS)		+6
9.	45	Rachel NEYLAN (BCS)		+6
10.	141	Allison RICE (CBR)		+6
11.	33	Amanda SPRATT (OGE)		+6
12.	111	Kimberley WELLS (HFD)		+6
13.	131	Taryn HEATHER (BSS)		+6
14.	21	Jenelle CROOKS (SPS)		+6
15.	81	Rebecca MACKEY (WCV)		+6
16.	82	Jessica HUSTON (WCV)		+6
17.	12	Miranda GRIFFITHS (HWC)		+6
18.	184	Joanne HOGAN		+6
19.	115	Georgia BAKER (HFD)		+11
20.	123	Nicole MOERIG (BRT)		+16
21.	24	Verita STEWART (SPS)		+16
22.	51	Tiffany CROMWELL (RXS)		+20
23.	11	Lucy COLDWELL (HWC)		+20
24.	13	Shannon MALSEED (HWC)		+20
25.	132	Kristy GLOVER (BSS)		+42
26.	23	Elizabeth DOUEAL (SPS)		+42
27.	153	Lucy BARKER (EOC)		+42
28.	53	Carlee TAYLOR (RXS)		+42
29.	22	Anna-Leeza HULL (SPS)		+42
30.	144	Laura DARLINGTON (CBR)		+42
31.	44	Lydia RIPPON (BCS)		+42
32.	61	Giorgia BRONZINI (WHT)		+42
33.	142	Alexandria NICHOLLS (CBR)		+42
34.	75	Emily COLLINS (SUV)		+42
35.	133	Tayla EVANS (BSS)		+42
36.	113	Jessica MUNDY (HFD)		+42
37.	175	Isabelle BECKERS		+42
38.	114	Kendelle HODGES (HFD)		+42
39.	62	Emilia FAHLIN (WHT)		+42
40.	121	Rachel WARD (BRT)		+42
41.	101	Angela SMITH (SNS)		+42
42.	151	Victoria VEITCH (EOC)		+42
43.	85	Amanda NABI (WCV)		+42
44.	154	Holly RANSON (EOC)		+42
45.	64	Annette EDMONDSON (WHT)		+42
46.	84	Erin KINNEALY (WCV)		+42
47.	125	Lisa KEELING (BRT)		+42
48.	63	Eileen ROE (WHT)		+42
49.	2	Bridie O’DONNELL (TRH)		+42
50.	14	Laurelea MOSS (HWC)		+47
51.	172	Danielle MCKINNIREY		+52
52.	152	Narelle HARDS (EOC)		+2:09
53.	135	Lucy BECHTEL (BSS)		+3:10
54.	15	Ruby GREIG-HURTIG (HWC)		+3:10
55.	134	Brittany LINDORES (BSS)		+3:10
56.	94	Naima MADLEN DIESNER (USG)		+3:18
57.	41	Minda MURRAY (BCS)		+3:24
58.	183	Nicole WHITBURN		+3:24
59.	55	Lucy MARTIN (RXS)		+3:24
60.	112	Rebecca WIASAK (HFD)		+3:24
61.	4	Laura VAINIONPAA (TRH)		+4:13
62.	165	Jessica LANE (BNG)		+4:51
63.	104	Kirsten HOWARD (SNS)		+5:20
64.	73	Gina RICARDO (SUV)		+5:20
65.	91	Michelle APOSTOLOU (USG)		+5:20
66.	124	Crystal WEMYSS (BRT)		+5:20
67.	173	Chloe MORAN		+5:25
68.	83	Carley MCKAY (WCV)		+5:25
69.	155	Nusha KERIN (EOC)		+5:25
70.	122	Gemma ANSELL (BRT)		+5:28
71.	103	Hollee SIMONS (SNS)		+5:47
72.	42	Emma PANE (BCS)		+5:47
73.	72	Stephanie LORD (SUV)		+6:09
74.	163	Prudence ROTHWELL (BNG)		+6:14
75.	25	Jasmine MCMILLAN (SPS)		+16:03
76.	71	Marissa MADDEN (SUV)		+16:03
77.	43	Amy CUNDY (BCS)		+16:03
78.	92	Stacey RIEDEL (USG)		+16:03
79.	93	Merridy PEARCE (USG)		+16:03
80.	95	Hannah GEELAN (USG)		+16:03
81.	102	Ella FALZARANO (SNS)		+16:03
82.	105	Sara MILLS (SNS)		+16:03
83.	145	Natalie REDMOND (CBR)		+16:03
84.	162	Elizabeth HALL (BNG)		+16:03
85.	164	Justyna LUBKOWSKI (BNG)		+16:03
86.	181	Amalie WINTHER OLSEN		+16:03
87.	182	Julia KALOTAS		+16:03
dns	171	Annabel COX
dns	174	Serene LEE

• Average speed of the winner: 42.9 km/h
• Number of starters: 87

General Classification

After Stage 1

					Time/Gap
1.	32	Valentina SCANDOLARA (OGE)			1h22:57
2.	54	Lauren KITCHEN (RXS)			+6
3.	34	Melissa HOSKINS (OGE)			+6
4.	31	Loes GUNNEWIJK (OGE)			+6
5.	65	Chloe HOSKING (WHT)			+6
6.	1	Ruth CORSET (TRH)			+6
7.	35	Lizzie WILLIAMS (OGE)			+6
8.	52	Loren ROWNEY (RXS)			+6
9.	45	Rachel NEYLAN (BCS)			+6
10.	141	Allison RICE (CBR)			+6
11.	33	Amanda SPRATT (OGE)			+6
12.	111	Kimberley WELLS (HFD)			+6
13.	131	Taryn HEATHER (BSS)			+6
14.	21	Jenelle CROOKS (SPS)			+6
15.	81	Rebecca MACKEY (WCV)			+6
16.	82	Jessica HUSTON (WCV)			+6
17.	12	Miranda GRIFFITHS (HWC)			+6
18.	184	Joanne HOGAN			+6
19.	115	Georgia BAKER (HFD)			+11
20.	123	Nicole MOERIG (BRT)			+16
21.	24	Verita STEWART (SPS)			+16
22.	51	Tiffany CROMWELL (RXS)			+20
23.	11	Lucy COLDWELL (HWC)			+20
24.	13	Shannon MALSEED (HWC)			+20
25.	132	Kristy GLOVER (BSS)			+42
26.	23	Elizabeth DOUEAL (SPS)			+42
27.	153	Lucy BARKER (EOC)			+42
28.	53	Carlee TAYLOR (RXS)			+42
29.	22	Anna-Leeza HULL (SPS)			+42
30.	144	Laura DARLINGTON (CBR)			+42
31.	44	Lydia RIPPON (BCS)			+42
32.	61	Giorgia BRONZINI (WHT)			+42
33.	142	Alexandria NICHOLLS (CBR)			+42
34.	75	Emily COLLINS (SUV)			+42
35.	133	Tayla EVANS (BSS)			+42
36.	113	Jessica MUNDY (HFD)			+42
37.	175	Isabelle BECKERS			+42
38.	114	Kendelle HODGES (HFD)			+42
39.	62	Emilia FAHLIN (WHT)			+42
40.	121	Rachel WARD (BRT)			+42
41.	101	Angela SMITH (SNS)			+42
42.	151	Victoria VEITCH (EOC)			+42
43.	85	Amanda NABI (WCV)			+42
44.	154	Holly RANSON (EOC)			+42
45.	64	Annette EDMONDSON (WHT)			+42
46.	84	Erin KINNEALY (WCV)			+42
47.	125	Lisa KEELING (BRT)			+42
48.	63	Eileen ROE (WHT)			+42
49.	2	Bridie O’DONNELL (TRH)			+42
50.	14	Laurelea MOSS (HWC)			+47
51.	172	Danielle MCKINNIREY			+52
52.	152	Narelle HARDS (EOC)			+2:09
53.	135	Lucy BECHTEL (BSS)			+3:10
54.	15	Ruby GREIG-HURTIG (HWC)			+3:10
55.	134	Brittany LINDORES (BSS)			+3:10
56.	94	Naima MADLEN DIESNER (USG)			+3:18
57.	41	Minda MURRAY (BCS)			+3:24
58.	183	Nicole WHITBURN			+3:24
59.	55	Lucy MARTIN (RXS)			+3:24
60.	112	Rebecca WIASAK (HFD)			+3:24
61.	4	Laura VAINIONPAA (TRH)			+4:13
62.	165	Jessica LANE (BNG)			+4:51
63.	104	Kirsten HOWARD (SNS)			+5:20
64.	73	Gina RICARDO (SUV)			+5:20
65.	91	Michelle APOSTOLOU (USG)			+5:20
66.	124	Crystal WEMYSS (BRT)			+5:20
67.	173	Chloe MORAN			+5:25
68.	83	Carley MCKAY (WCV)			+5:25
69.	155	Nusha KERIN (EOC)			+5:25
70.	122	Gemma ANSELL (BRT)			+5:28
71.	103	Hollee SIMONS (SNS)			+5:47
72.	42	Emma PANE (BCS)			+5:47
73.	72	Stephanie LORD (SUV)			+6:09
74.	163	Prudence ROTHWELL (BNG)			+6:14
75.	25	Jasmine MCMILLAN (SPS)			+16:03
76.	71	Marissa MADDEN (SUV)			+16:03
77.	43	Amy CUNDY (BCS)			+16:03
78.	92	Stacey RIEDEL (USG)			+16:03
79.	93	Merridy PEARCE (USG)			+16:03
80.	95	Hannah GEELAN (USG)			+16:03
81.	102	Ella FALZARANO (SNS)			+16:03
82.	105	Sara MILLS (SNS)			+16:03
83.	145	Natalie REDMOND (CBR)			+16:03
84.	162	Elizabeth HALL (BNG)			+16:03
85.	164	Justyna LUBKOWSKI (BNG)			+16:03
86.	181	Amalie WINTHER OLSEN			+16:03
87.	182	Julia KALOTAS			+16:03

Sprint Classification

After Stage 1

1.	54	Lauren KITCHEN (RXS)			6	pt
2.	32	Valentina SCANDOLARA (OGE)			5
3.	64	Annette EDMONDSON (WHT)			5
4.	34	Melissa HOSKINS (OGE)			2
5.	23	Elizabeth DOUEAL (SPS)			2
6.	31	Loes GUNNEWIJK (OGE)			1
7.	113	Jessica MUNDY (HFD)			1

Intermediate Sprints

Yellow & Black 75 km/h Sign

1.	64	Annette EDMONDSON (WHT)			5	pt
2.	54	Lauren KITCHEN (RXS)			3
3.	23	Elizabeth DOUEAL (SPS)			2
4.	113	Jessica MUNDY (HFD)			1

Murray Bridge Showgrounds (Stage Finish)

1.	32	Valentina SCANDOLARA (OGE)			5	pt
2.	54	Lauren KITCHEN (RXS)			3
3.	34	Melissa HOSKINS (OGE)			2
4.	31	Loes GUNNEWIJK (OGE)			1

Mountains Classification

After Stage 1

1.	54	Lauren KITCHEN (RXS)			6	pt
2.	32	Valentina SCANDOLARA (OGE)			5
3.	52	Loren ROWNEY (RXS)			5
4.	34	Melissa HOSKINS (OGE)			2
5.	65	Chloe HOSKING (WHT)			2
6.	31	Loes GUNNEWIJK (OGE)			1
7.	61	Giorgia BRONZINI (WHT)			1

Hill Climbs

Hogan Road CAT4

1.	52	Loren ROWNEY (RXS)			5	pt
2.	54	Lauren KITCHEN (RXS)			3
3.	65	Chloe HOSKING (WHT)			2
4.	61	Giorgia BRONZINI (WHT)			1

Murray Bridge Showgrounds (Stage Finish)

1.	32	Valentina SCANDOLARA (OGE)			5	pt
2.	54	Lauren KITCHEN (RXS)			3
3.	34	Melissa HOSKINS (OGE)			2
4.	31	Loes GUNNEWIJK (OGE)			1

Teams Stage Result

					Time/Gap
1.	OGE	Orica – AIS	(32, 34, 31)		4h09:03
2.	RXS	Roxsolt	(54, 52, 51)		+20
3.	HWC	Holden Women’s Cycling Team	(12, 11, 13)		+34
4.	WCV	Wormall Civil CCS Cycling Team	(81, 82, 85)		+42
5.	HFD	High5 Dream Team	(111, 115, 113)		+47
6.	SPS	Specialized Securitor	(21, 24, 23)		+52
7.	CBR	CBR Women’s Cycling	(141, 144, 142)		+1:18
8.	BSS	Bicycle Superstore	(131, 132, 133)		+1:18
9.	WHT	Wiggle Down Under	(65, 61, 62)		+1:18
10.	BRT	Boss Racing Team	(123, 121, 125)		+1:28
11.	EOC	EMBA – Ozone Cleaning Specialists	(153, 151, 154)		+1:54
12.	BCS	Building Champions Squad	(45, 44, 41)		+4:00
13.	TRH	Total Rush Hyster	(1, 2, 4)		+4:49
14.	SNS	Subaru NSWIS NKC Team	(101, 104, 103)		+11:37
15.	SUV	SUVelo Racing	(75, 73, 72)		+11:59
16.	USG	Unified Solutions Group	(94, 91, 92)		+24:29
17.	BNG	Bikebug-NextGen	(165, 163, 162)		+26:56

Teams General Classification

After Stage 1

					Time/Gap
1.	OGE	Orica – AIS			4h09:03
2.	RXS	Roxsolt			+20
3.	HWC	Holden Women’s Cycling Team			+34
4.	WCV	Wormall Civil CCS Cycling Team			+42
5.	HFD	High5 Dream Team			+47
6.	SPS	Specialized Securitor			+52
7.	CBR	CBR Women’s Cycling			+1:18
8.	BSS	Bicycle Superstore			+1:18
9.	WHT	Wiggle Down Under			+1:18
10.	BRT	Boss Racing Team			+1:28
11.	EOC	EMBA – Ozone Cleaning Specialists			+1:54
12.	BCS	Building Champions Squad			+4:00
13.	TRH	Total Rush Hyster			+4:49
14.	SNS	Subaru NSWIS NKC Team			+11:37
15.	SUV	SUVelo Racing			+11:59
16.	USG	Unified Solutions Group			+24:29
17.	BNG	Bikebug-NextGen			+26:56