Following a strong performance by the entire team, Georgia Baker secured second place for Liv AlUla Jayco in the Tour de Gatineau.
The six riders from Liv AlUla Jayco dictated much of the race on Canadian soil. In the first hour of the race, Nadia Gontova joined a five-rider breakaway.
When this group was caught at the 70-kilometre mark, the team took control at the front of the peloton.
With 35 kilometres to go, the decisive move came. Seven riders, including Ruby Roseman-Gannon and Gontova, broke away from the peloton. Following a counter-attack, a further four riders joined them, including Baker.
The group worked well together and managed to steadily extend their lead over the peloton. This was partly thanks to pacemaker Gontova, who did the lion’s share of the work at the front.
In the slightly uphill sprint for victory, Baker fell just short of the Swiss rider Steffi Häberlin. Our 31-year-old Australian thus finished in second place.
Georgia Baker
“The team raced brilliantly throughout the entire race, consistently staying in the mix and represented in the key moves. The final move ended up staying away, which put us in a great position with Nadia, Ruby, and myself all in contention. Nadia controlled the final lap, allowing Ruby and me to focus on the sprint. It was a close finish, and I’m disappointed not to have been able to get the win for the team, but I’m still proud to represent them on the podium.”
Tour de Gatineau Results
1. Steffi Häberlin 4:20:55
2. Georgia Baker (Team Liv AlUla Jayco) ST
3. Ava Holmgren ST
4. Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Team Liv AlUla Jayco) ST
Photo: Sprint Cycling
