Wellington World Cup

Having watched a few womens races in recent years I can honestly say I have never seen one quite like the 2006 edition of the Wellington World Cup. The way the kiwi girls ripped into it right from the gun was inspiring. As if feeding off each others positivity the girls in black laid down one aggressive attack after another, causing some unprecedented early splintering. At one point in the first few laps I ventured down to the flat section of the course to get a feel for what pace the race was being ridden at. What I saw at this point was Toni on the front of a peleton stretched out over about 800m. But it wasn't the whole peleton as the race was being blown apart, with 3 or 4 large groups. Toni was looking over her shoulder as if to say - is that all you've got! I don't think she knew what the tempo was doing to those behind her. The remaining 40 riders were strung out in single file, with pain etched across many of their faces.
This early softening up of the bunch allowed McUlmer to assert her true class on the field. When she went for it solo, everyone was too buggered to respond.

The kiwi quartet left in the bunch controlled any attempts from other riders to bridge up to Sarah and left the Aussies wondering what they have to do to get one back on us for the Commonwealth Games.

The team is really coming together well and looking very strong for Melbourne.

Go the Black Spokes!

Aaron