The trip down to the Spirit of Tasmania Tour was a break out weekend for the Meridian Blue squad. There was a whole series of Tasmanian Podiums. We were up to (almost) full strength. travelling down were: Alyssa who had recovered from concussion two weeks earlier; Keely Bennett; and Vegas after sitting out the Warnambool Classic due to U19s being excluded.
On a warm night in Devonport the team performed superbly under the guidance of DS for the weekend, Kate Perry,. We executed a race plan to take it to the Praties and Butterfields teams. Alyssa put in some massive work at the front, while Mia and Rhylee flew off the front covering attacks, keeping the others under check. Kirsty dropped some huge efforts off the front to keep the pressure on other sprinters. On the last bend Alyssa peeled off and left Keelty with a very long sprint. She finished stomping across the line for a well deserved win.
The team could not have been happier. Kirsty was awarded Most Agressive and Keely taking the Sprinter’s jersey as well as the GC.
Stage 2 presented new opportunities for the team as we were in a new position of having to defend a jersey. Stage 2 had a very grippy, steep climb in the second half which was always going to damage tthe peloton. Just ahead of the climb Kirsty attacked and rapidly marked a 2 minute gap as she neared the climb. She eventually making it over teh mountain a minute ahead of the peloton and securing herself the QoM jersey. The reduced peloton made it to the finish line with Keely just missing a second stage win by half a bike length to winner Sophia Marr.
Stage 3 was a 4.4km TT, and Keely held on to a 4s lead heading in to the final stage on Sunday.
The 4th stage was characterised by an early breakaway which contained Mia and seven other riders. The gap blew out to 6 minutes before the MBC team was required to bring it back together. Riding on the front to keep inside the police enforced race envelope meant that we burnt trhoughg some matches in protecting Keely. Kirsty, Alyssa and Rhylee put in some monster work. Withe the break caught the fous was on protecting Keely. The Praties team had a full squad of 7 at the front. As they turned the screws Mia, Kirsty and eventually Keely were gapped. Alyssa and Rhylee rode the last 7km looking for opportunities in a stacked lead group. Both had very strong rides eventually with Rhylee claiming 3rd place for the stage. Alyssa just closing in for fiftth and eventually our highest GC place for the Tour.
