Who are the ACT's best chance in the Women's elite road race?

The women's elite road race will start at 1.30pm this afternoon around Buninyong. The winner will need to do 2 x Big and 5 x Small laps of the course for a total 106.6kms.

Like the men's elite road race, the women's road race will be dominated by Orica-AIS.  This will make it difficult for riders to get away and win. However, ACT still have a couple of favourites that have the chance to take out the gold medal or podium places.


ACT riders in the women's elite and under 23 road race 

205	Gracie	ELVIN	ACT
213	Chloe	HOSKING	ACT
221	Jessie	MACLEAN	ACT
226	Laura	MEADLEY	ACT
243	Tegan	ELFERKH	ACT
250	Lisa	KEELING	ACT
267	Kimberley	WELLS	ACT
457	Rebecca	HENDERSON*	ACT

  
Chloe Hosking: This will be the first outing for Chloe in her new team kit, Hitec Products.  While she will go into the race as one of the favourites, it will be tough to break down the Orica-AIS team.  She will get support from Rachel Neylan (silver medalist from the Worlds).  May want to set up alliances with other girls to counter the Orica-AIS dominance.

Gracie Elvin: Gracie is in top form at the moment. Picked up the bronze in the criterium race on Thursday evening at the Road Nationals.  Was also very successful at the recent Mitchelton Bay Cycling Crits. This will be Gracie's first road race outing in her new Orica-AIS kit.  Will need to get into a successful breakaway to win.  Unlikely to take the win this year, but still a strong podium chance.

Jessie Maclean: Jessie did not start Wednesday's time trial, probably to focus on today's road race.  Part of the strong Orica-AIS team.  Unlikely to win, but will be a strong workhorse for her team mates.

Laura Meadley: A strong participant in the National Road Series in National Road Series for the Suzuki-Trek team. A riders that the favourites may like to form an alliance with.

Tegan Elferkh: Took out the A-grade women's race at the CCC Twilight series at Lookout Hill last weekend in very hot conditions.  Riding in such hot conditions will prepare her well for the race conditions today.  Not expecting Tegan to take out a podium finish.  Probably finish mid table.

Lisa Keeling: Lisa has been training hard on Red Hill and Stromlo over December and January.  Rides for NRS team Boss Construction powered by Nutrixxon. Lisa is surrounded by a lot of strong and tough women, which may make it difficult to brake down.  Top 20 finish is not out of the question if Lisa gets support.

Kimberly Wells: Kimberly has been an absolute revelation over the summer. She took out the National Criterium title and also won the first race of the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Crits. A podium place in possible for Kimberly, particularly if she can get support from other women.  Has to be a smokie. A strong performance may allow Kimberly to realise her dreams of riding for a European cycling team. 

Wells taking out the national criterium race - Courtesy of the Age

Rebecca Henderson: Australian Olympic mountain bike representative will be riding in the under 23 women's road race. The course will certainly suit her skills, but a question remains whether she has done enough road racing to be a threat to the other under 23 women.  Podium place is possible.