Gracie Elvin's stage and overall win at the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic is both a blessing and a curse for the Orica-AIS rider who will now head into Sunday's Australian national championships with the number one target on her back.
Elvin, a back-to-back winner of the elite women's title in 2013-14, had a breakthrough 2015 season with two wins on European soil which saw her become a key rider for the Australian team and with that, a higher expected level of results and performances in 2016. A win on stage 1 and second place the following day set up overall victory in the four-day criterium series for the 26-year-old's best start to a season yet, confirming the team's belief in her ability is sound.
"It was a good day out. We had strong girls this week and it's been so awesome to all be in great form together after a good training camp in November," Elvin said of the final stage, won by teammate Lizzie Williams. "We were still here today for the stage win, that was goal but to take away the yellow jersey, we are pretty stoked about that."
ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking with Cyclingnews at the end of 2015, Elvin described that while in previous year's she was aware of her favourite status for the title, it is periphery at the end of the day and she won't let it affect her preparation for Sunday's 102km race.
"Ultimately the pressure is what I put on myself, I didn't have everyone in my ear saying I had to win, it was more coming from inside of me that I really wanted to win and get that third title in a row particularly as it was talked up so much in the media," Elvin explained. "I am going to try and have a bit more fun this year and place less pressure on myself. I can't lie and say I don't want that jersey back, I'd love to take it to Europe again so I will definitely be going for it."
With Williams firing on all cylinders at the Bay Cycling Classic, former national champion Amanda Spratt aggressive as ever and last year's silver medallist in Rachel Neylan all lining up alongside Elvin on Sunday, Orica-AIS will have several winning cards in its hand.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest News http://ift.tt/1kHjwiX
No comments:
Post a Comment