Stage 5                                   Cooma Criterium                                                   30.0 kms

Start 5.30pm

With the final criterium left, Melchers and Arndt were only separated by 1sec.  It was going to be a fast and furious final stage.  The pace was on from the first lap.  I struggled to get my foot in my pedal and rounded the first corner almost last.  I fought my way towards the front half of the peleton where it is safer and easier to ride.  Many riders struggled with the pace, with the first riders lapped after only 8 laps.

All attacks were quickly brought back and as predicted the criterium ended in a mad bunch sprint.  Rochelle Gilmore (NSWIS TREK) pushed into the final corner first and took out the stage, with Arndt finishing 2^nd and with the bonus seconds, claimed the overall tour win from Melchers.  I finished 25^th in the bunch sprint.

I was very happy with the tour and am starting to find some form for the season.  Apart from a few mechanical problems I had a successful tour, and worked hard to protect and support Hemsley.  Well done team.

Overall Australian National Team Results

6^th Margaret Hemsley             1min 19sec down

19^th Kim Shirley                      4min 37sec down

29^th Helen Kelly                      13min 41sec down

33^rd Amy Safe                          14min 46sec down

43^rd Emma Rickards                29min 28sec down

DNF Vanessa Crawford