In the first stage of the Herald Sun Tour in Australia, WaowDeals Pro Cycling proved once again on Tuesday that the team is steadily making progress. Jeanne Korevaar slipped away in the breakaway of the day and especially Anouska Koster was close to a podium spot.

DS Jeroen Blijlevens predicted a tough ride which it turned out to be. The riders climbed a hill of 2nd category after well-over 60 kilometres, forming a leading group of 12 riders, including Jeanne Korevaar from WaowDeals Pro Cycling.

The escapees got a lead of maximum of 2 minutes to the chasing peloton where especially Mitchelton-Scott took charge. The Australian team reduced the gap to 30 seconds on the last and decisive climb, Myers Creek (8 kilometres).

At that moment, a set of breakaway attempts broke loose, with Annemiek van Vleuten being the main front-runner. She got away shortly before the summit and had another 19 kilometres until the finish line to catch Brodie Chapman, the only surviving escapee. But the Dutch rider did not succeed.

In the battle for 3rd place, WaowDeals Pro Cycling put up quite a fight, with Jeanne, Anouska Koster and Sabrina Stultiens having 3 irons in the fire. Shortly after, also Riejanne Markus made the connection with the group again. Anouska eventually took the 6th place after a bunch sprint.

"I can only be pleased today about the team, we have raced well. You can tell the level is continuously increasing which is exactly why we chose the season opening in Australia", says DS Jeroen Blijlevens. The only stain on the day was Rotem Gafinovitz having to leave the race as she was suffering too much from gastro-intestinal problems.

Short time trial
On Wednesday, the riders await a second and final part of the Herald Sun Tour, a short time trial (1.6 kilometres). Jeanne is still in the running to win the young rider classification, having to beat Grace Anderson from New-Zealand in the time trial.