Sabrina Sultiens finished in the first stage of the Santos Women’s Tour Down Under as leader of the mountain classification.  She reached the top of a tricky climb first after around 85 kilometres.

“Considering that there is only one climb, you know that many riders want to get that jersey, especially as the peloton is still strong. It’s nice that Sabrina got it”, says DS Jeroen Blijlevens.

The first stage between Gumeracha and Gumeracha (115,7 kilometres) did not go flawless for his WaowDeals team. Monique van de Ree crashed 20 kilometres from the finish line. She got quickly back on her bike and was able to connect again with the peloton. “Monique even wanted to take part in the sprint, but she fell again in the final”, says Jeroen Blijlevens.

Monique had a check-up at the First Aid station after the race. “She is bruised and battered.  It remains to be seen how she will recover and if she can start again tomorrow.”

The victory of the day was eventually for Annette Edmondson. She outsprinted the rest of the peloton, after a breakaway attempt by Rachel Neylan failed in the final kilometres.

Different weather
The 2nd stage will take the riders between Lyndoch and Mengler’s Hill (102 kilometres) on Friday. While it was boiling hot (around 35 degrees) during the 1st stage, the forecast for Friday are lower temperatures and rain.