Dominika Wlodarczyk secured an impressive fifth place at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, bringing to a close a demanding and highly competitive Australian campaign for UAE Team ADQ.
The 141.2-kilometre race started and finished in Geelong and featured the traditional selective finishing circuit. After a long solo breakaway animated much of the day, the peloton regrouped with 35 kilometres to go, setting the stage for an aggressive and tactical finale.
UAE Team ADQ riders stayed well positioned at the front of the bunch, ready to respond to the decisive moves. Action ignited on the climbs, where Mavi Garcia launched a strong acceleration to claim the first Queen of the Mountains (QOM) point, underlining the team’s attacking intent.
The strong pace set by UAE Team ADQ gradually thinned the lead group, with Garcia able to rely on the support of Wlodarczyk, Magnaldi, Blasi and Ivanchenko at the front of the race. Despite the forcing, several fast finishers managed to rejoin the leaders ahead of the final ascent.
On the second passage of Challambra Crescent, Garcia attacked once again, cresting the climb first to secure her second QOM of the day and officially win the Queen of the Mountains classification. The move selected a lead group of 12 riders, including teammate Dominika Wlodarczyk, but also some of the peloton’s quickest sprinters.
The race was decided in a fast and technical sprint, where Ally Wollaston (FDJ United – SUEZ) proved the strongest, repeating her victory from the previous year. Wlodarczyk finished fifth after a strong and consistent performance, while Garcia crossed the line in 12th place, adding the QOM jersey to an already positive day for the team.
A solid team effort and an aggressive racing style marked a successful conclusion to UAE Team ADQ’s time in Australia.
(ph. Getty Sport)
