Giorgia Bronzini survives Checker Hill to win in Campbelltown

Italian Giorgia Bronzini (Wiggle Down Under) made the elite selection over Checker Hill to take a convincing win on the third stage of the Santos Women’s Tour The two time former world champion easily outsprinted Orica-AIS pair Melissa Hoskins and Valentina Scandolara to the finish line in Campbelltown on what was expected to be the most decisive stage of the four day race.

“It was a little bit of a surprise to make it over Checker Hill,” said Bronzini. “I was a little bit scared because I saw four GreenEDGE riders with me. It was a lot. In the end, I was happy. It means the shape is coming.”

Scandolara remains in the blue leader’s jersey she pulled on following her spectacular solo win on stage one. Hoskins holds tight to second overall, six seconds behind her teammate. Ruth Corset (Total Rush) jumps up to third on the general classification.

“It was really hard out there, but I felt really safe with teammates around me all day,” said Scandolara. “Today was the most difficult stage, and I felt like a politician with the bodyguards.”

As predicted, Checker Hill split the peloton to pieces. An 11 rider front group formed just over the top. Scandolara and Hoskins were joined by teammates Lizzie Williams and Amanda Spratt. KOM leader Loren Rowney and Carlee Taylor represented Roxsolt. Corsett, Bronzini, Rachel Neylan (Building Champion Squad), Jenelle Crooks (Specialized Securitor) and Miranda Griffiths (Holden) provided lone representation to their respective squads.

“Carlee and I made the split over the top,” said Rowney. “I was really surprised I could go with the climbers. Other sprinters – Giorgia and Mel – were there. We had a good group.”

“GreenEDGE had four riders, and they decided to drive it,” Rowney added. “I had Carlee with me, and she was helping. Jenelle had interest because she’s an NRS rider. The others just sat in. We worked well.”

“Mel was driving it on the climb,” explained Scandolara. “We didn’t expect it to be so steep in the final part, so I ran out of gears. Ruth Corset is really strong. We knew that. It wasn’t a surprise that she went away. All of my teammates were there in the bunch, and they drove it on the descent so we could catch her back.”

Starting the descent about 40 seconds behind the leaders, the first chase group would be joined by the second chase group before the finale. Even with combined forces, the chasers were unable to make gains on the leaders, eventually finishing more than a minute behind Bronzini.

The spectators that lined the finishing straight in Campbelltown were treated to a world-class bunch sprint. Although she was challenged by Checker Hill, Bronzini packed plenty of punch in her legs for the finale, crossing the line with nearly two bike lengths on Hosking.

“Rachel Neylan attacked a couple times and so did the Specialized rider,” said Bronzini. “Sometimes someone from GreenEDGE would leave a gap, and I had to work to close it. It was hard in the end.”

“The sprint was lined up on the left side of the road, which was good,” Rowney explained. “Carlee decided to jump down the right and have a go. That caused a bit of confusion in the sprint, and GreenEDGE managed to slip up on the right where she was. They had a good lead-out and Gioriga was just too fast.”

The final stage of the Santos Women’s Tour is a 70 minute criterium in Adelaide’s Victoria Park. The course favours the sprinters, and it is unlikely we will see any major changes to the general classification.

Stage 3 Result

• Number of starters: 86
• Riders abandoning the race: 1

General Classification

After Stage 3

Sprint Classification

After Stage 3

Intermediate Sprints

Mount Crawford Information Centre

Athelstone (Stage Finish)

Mountains Classification

After Stage 3

Hill Climbs

Checker Hill

Athelstone (Stage Finish)

Stage Awards

Stage Aggressor

Teams Stage Result

Teams General Classification

After Stage 3