Tasmanian rider Georgia Baker came close to bringing Liv AlUla Jayco victory today at the Schwalbe one-day Classic, sprinting to a solid second place. The 30-year-old launched the sprint down King William Road after a fast and aggressive 90km circuit race only to be nudged out on the line by Clara Copponi and having to settle for the minor placing.
Today’s second place finish is the squad’s fourth trip to the podium for a second place finish in Adelaide following on from Silke Smulders stage two, stage three and overall second place finish at the Women’s Santos Tour Down Under earlier in the week.
With one last chance to get their hands in the air in South Australia, Liv AlUla Jayco went on the offensive, following and launching moves around the rapid 20x lap race, until local Adelaide rider Amber Pate jumped away with one other rider and dominated the race, with the duo leading solo for most of the event.
Coming into the final laps, Pate was eventually swallowed up by the bunch and the squad turned their attention to supporting Baker for an all important final bunch kick to the line.
Georgia Baker – Second place
“I think it was a really good race from the team. Our plan was to go out and have a really aggressive race, we knew we had one of the strongest teams in the race and if it came down to the final four laps and it looked like it would be a bunch sprint then we would go all in for a lead-out. Amber attacked away and was away for the majority of the race.
Our goal was to be in the top 10 wheels in the final roundabout with about one kilometre to go as we knew that would be really decisive as the road narrowed. Ruby positioned me as best as she could then started my sprint with about 200metres to go. I am happy to finish on the podium, that was our goal for the team so for them to back me and trust me, it was really special.”
Women’s Schwalbe Classic results:
1. Clara Copponi 2:03:59
2. Georgia Baker (Liv AlUla Jayco) ST
3. Rachele Barbieri ST
Photo: Sprint Cycling
