Tour of Tasmania Stage 2 SBS Women's League Recap
Two ascents of the infamous Gunns Plains climbs punctuated a very challenging opening road stage for the Tour of Tasmania. Rolling out in perfect conditions, there was no shortage of aggression to try and force a selection on the difficult terrain.
The women faced 107km and two ascents of Gunns Plains in a stage that was expected to shape the battle for the general classification. The early stages were defined by a strong breakway that featured each of the major teams looking for both stage and overall victory.
The breakaway worked well together and stayed away until the second ascent of Gunns Plains, reeled in by a select climbing group that formed on the lower slopes. There was a brief pause before pre-race favourite Sophia Sammons (Team Redcat) launched, with the west-Australian quickly establishing a gap that kept her out of sight of the chasing group patrolled by her Redcat teammates.
Keely Bennett (Buttefields Ziptrak Racing) tried to establish a chase, but was unable to find the cooperation she needed to make inroads into the gap quickly extending to Sammons up the road.
It was a perfect scenario for the U23 national time trial champion who found her rhythm and continued to extend her lead. Sammons crossed the line solo in what may prove to be a career defining victory - proving she can translate her tremendous time trial engine to results on the road, especially when the road turns up.
The chasing group was led home by Katelyn Nicholson and her Butterfields Ziptrak teammate Keely Bennett who cleverly stayed just behind her GC leader, allowing her to take the maximum bonus seconds ahead of tomorrows mountaintop finish.
SBS Women’s TOT Stage 2 Podium
1. Sophia Sammons (Team Redcat)
2. Katelyn Nicholson (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing)
3. Keely Bennett (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing)
