Melbourne, Australia – Loren Rowney and Tiffany Cromwell will line up in the first major race of the 2015 season for Velocio-SRAM at the Mars Cycling Australia National Road Championships on Saturday 10th January in Buninyong, Victoria.
Tiffany Cromwell
Both riders competed at the recent Bay Criterium race in Geelong, Victoria and used the four-stage criterium race as part of their final preparation for the National Championship. “The Bay Crits are always a good way to start the season and to get some intensity into the legs after riding base kilometres in November and December,” said Tiffany Cromwell. “I personally started to feel much better by the end of the series than the opening stage.”
Loren, who suffered a crash in stage two at Bay Crits, says she is feeling confident in her own form. “The crash wasn’t ideal but I managed to get through the other stages. I have recovered now and feel fresh and ready for the race on Saturday,” Loren said.
The tough undulating National Championship 102km course at Buninyong is expected to take place under cool weather conditions. Tiffany states, “I think the colder weather and possibly wet conditions will suit me better. After having lived in Europe for some time I actually prefer this type of weather than the 40 degree heat that we can sometimes have.”
The 79-rider field is set to include several international riders and a mix of domestic team riders. Two-time winner Gracie Elvin is likely to go into the race as the favourite, but Tiffany feels that the race is wide open. “The race will be very interesting. Orica GreenEdge are down on numbers although they still have four riders and a lot of people will feel threatened by them. You never know how the domestic girls are going and for them this is their biggest race of their calendar to win. It will make for an exciting race,” said Tiffany. “Both Loren and I have several cards to play and we are confident to do something in the race.”
Live action can be followed on the Velocio-SRAM twitter feed @velociosports #RoadNats and a highlights package of the women’s elite race will be shown on Australian National television Saturday evening.
