Tour of Tasmania | Stage 2 | SBS Women's League
Setting off in brisk conditions from Sheffield, Beldinda Bailey (McLardy McShane Cycling Team) was the first rider to establish a gap, which grew to over 3 minutes before she was joined by New Zealand u23 time trial champion Kirsty Watts (Meridian Blue Cycling p/b 99 Bikes).
The challenging climb of Union Bridge reduced the peloton to only 14 riders, while Bailey succumbed to her early efforts, leaving Watts solo out the front. Sophia Sammons and Frankie Hall (Praties Cycling Team) joined Watts out the front, holding a gap until inside the final 10km when the lead group began setting up for a reduced bunch sprint.
Sophie Marr (Praties Cycling Team) emerged first over the crest of the final rise only 150m from the line, with Keely Bennett (Meridian Blue p/b 99 Bikes) coming fast with a late run. Marr held strong and took a well earned win ahead of Bennett, while Alli Anderson (Butterfields Ziptrak Racing) repeated her third place yesterday and took another 4 bonus seconds in the GC ahead of the time trial and final road stage.
