Photos: Getty Sport
Katia Ragusa captured the QOM jersey on stage one of the Santos Tour Down Under and scored bonus time to end her first day racing for Human Powered Health fifth on the general classification.
The 26-year-old operated from the day’s four-rider breakaway, scoring the full ten QOM points available at the Hawthorn and Kenton Valley climbs and three bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint in Woodside.
“It was fantastic to take the jersey on my first day racing for Human Powered Health,” Ragusa said after. “The plan was to jump in the breakaway. I tried to get all the points I could so it was amazing to get the first QOM, the bonus time and then the second QOM.”
Racing in 104 degrees, Ragusa launched the move with India Grangier (Team Coop – Repsol) and Matilda Reynolds (Team Bridgeline WE) with the trio later joined by Kate Richardson (Lifeplus Wahoo).
“It was hot today but for me it was good,” she said. “Now it’s about cooling down and having a nice meal for recovery, and relaxing for my mindset, taking some time off before tomorrow. It will be a hard day.”
-
- Edwards back on the start line.
-
- Ragusa keeps it moving in the breakaway.
The stage was also notable for the return of Ruth Edwards, 27 months after her last race. The former American champion caught up with Velo ahead of the action.
Ally Wollaston (AG Insurance – Soudal Team) took top honors at the end of the 93.9-kilometer rolling parcours, winning the sprint into Campbelltown with Lily Williams in the mix but boxed out of the final selection.
Tomorrow, the race heads into the Adelaide Hills for 2,079 meters of climbing and two and a half laps of a hilly circuit around Stirling that takes in the final climb three times. The selection for the win will be made on the 2km at 3.9% climb.
Unfortunately, Henrietta Christie suffered a crash during the stage, and after doctor consultation, the New Zealander will not take to the start line on stage 2.
QOM standings after stage 1
1 RAGUSA Katia – Human Powered Health 10 points
2 GRANGIER India – Team Coop – Repsol 6
3 REYNOLDS Matilda – Team Bridgeline WE 4
General Classification after stage 1
1 WOLLASTON Ally – AG Insurance – Soudal Team 10” 2:32:27
2 BAKER Georgia – Liv AlUla Jayco 8” 0:02
3 BERTIZZOLO Sofia – UAE Team ADQ 4” 0:06
4 ROSEMAN-Gannon Ruby – Liv AlUla Jayco 3” 0:07
5 RAGUSA Katia – Human Powered Health 3” ”
6 GRANGIER India – Team Coop – Repsol 2” 0:08
7 WŁODARCZYK Dominika – UAE Team ADQ 1” 0:09
8 RAYNOLDS Matilda – Team Bridgeline WE 1” ”
9 BURLOVÁ Kristýna – Lifeplus Wahoo 0:10
10 VERHULST-WILD Gladys – FDJ – SUEZ ”
