‘It could be a miracle if I make it over’ – Turning of the screws set to ignite GC jumble on the climbs of Women’s Tour Down Under stage 3

The opening two phases of the Santos Girls’s Tour Down Below weren’t straightforward by any stretch of the creativeness – however proper from the start relating to the general battle, all eyes have been firmly educated on stage 3.

There’s a good motive for that, or maybe two, given the double ascent of Corkscrew Rd that’s on the agenda on Monday.

The ochre jersey of the race chief has been on Ally Wollaston’s again to this point, however whereas the dash prowess of the FDJ United-SUEZ rider has delivered a formidable sweep of the stage victories, that is anticipated to vary on Monday because of the two crossings of the brutal 2.4km ascent with a median gradient of 9.7% and peak of 16.2%.

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Even Wollaston herself is taking part in down her probabilities of remaining in ochre to the tip: “I feel it could possibly be a miracle if I make it over tomorrow, however yeah, I am going to nonetheless give it a crimson sizzling crack,” the rider from New Zealand mentioned with amusing.

The primary two phases have been removed from straightforward, with each difficult terrain and climate, however to this point, the gaps are comparatively slim. There was actually potential to blow them out slightly on Sunday, with the extreme warmth including a layer of problem to a day with 2411m of climbing – one thing that one sports activities director identified wasn’t precisely obvious when planning for the race whereas sitting in temperatures of zero.

However finally, whereas splits occurred, there have been nonetheless 30 riders crossing the road in the identical time. Though it needs to be remembered that does not imply there will not be a toll from the day that goes past mere seconds misplaced or gained.

“I feel quite a lot of riders will nonetheless really feel this stage within the legs tomorrow, so possibly we won’t see the most important gaps right now within the end result, however it’s going to nonetheless be an element for tomorrow,” cautioned EF Schooling Oatly sports activities director Daniel Foder earlier than the beginning of stage 2.

The GC state of affairs with at some point remaining has Wollaston with a 14-second benefit to second-placed Josie Nelson (Picnic PostNL) – one other sprinter however one who has spent a substantial interval throughout her low season engaged on her climbing – whereas defending champion Noemi Rüegg (EF Schooling-Oatly) sits 17 seconds again.

Olivia Baril (Movistar) is fourth at 19 seconds, Marta Lach (SD Worx-Protime) fifth at 22, Sarah Van Dam (Visma-Lease a Bike) sixth at 23 and than there’s a group of 21 riders lined up at 24 seconds again.

Pole place however nonetheless a difficult defence

As final yr’s winner, and with a climbing skill that was on show as she claimed the Willunga hill stage final yr, Rüegg is the rider who appears to be in pole place heading into the ultimate day, although the goal on her again shall be appreciable. Her staff will not be underestimating the diploma of problem concerned in delivering the victory two years working.

“We all know that Noemi may be very robust, and he or she’s very dedicated to attempt to do it once more, and the entire staff round her is dedicated to help her,” Foder advised Cyclingnews earlier than the second stage unfolded.

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“And naturally, we attempt to do every part doable, however to do it two years in a row is all the time troublesome. That mentioned, I am very optimistic that she shall be up there and yeah, in fact, we’ll do every part we are able to as a way to make it occur.”

There’ll, nonetheless, be a considerable group lined up near Rüegg on the outcomes sheet that shall be doing every part they will to verify there’s a completely different winner in 2026 to 2025.

Amongst that group of 21 riders sitting 24 seconds again from Wollaston is a few critical climbing firepower from three-time race winner Amanda Spratt in addition to Gaia Realini for Lidl-Trek, Giro d’Italia stage winner Neve Bradbury (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto), and for the house Liv AlUla Jayco squad, Ella Wyllie. However in all probability most notably, there’s a significantly harmful trio from UAE Crew ADQ consisting of Mavi García, Dominika Wlodarczyk and Paula Blasi.

“I am fairly positive we now have one of many strongest groups now right here, particularly going up,” mentioned Blasi after being awarded the Queen of the Mountains jersey after stage 2. “Domi and Mavi, I feel they’re our essential playing cards so, for me, I shall be pleased working for them as a result of I actually belief them and I feel we are able to do a very good job.”

Regardless of who wins, there may be one certainty and that’s that the double Corkscrew climb so near the end will ship an motion packed stage that leaves the suspense constructing to the very finish in a tour that has upped the ante.

“It’s a vital climb, and the primary time we have had two of them as nicely, so it is actually good to see phases on this yr’s Tour Down Below which might be longer and more durable,” mentioned Liv AlUla Jayco sports activities director Jess Allen, who additionally raced the occasion 5 occasions. “That is one thing we have been preventing for for a number of years now, so it is actually optimistic to see the tour going on this route.”

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