CANYON//SRAM Racing:Lisa Brennauer sprints to third at prelude to Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

Image: ©Kirsty Baxter

Lisa Brennauer has today sprinted to third place in the inaugural Towards Zero Race Melbourne criterium around Albert Park. Acting as a prelude to the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in two days time, the 63km criterium was won by Kirsten Wild (CPC) with Chloe Hosking (ALE) second.

Brennauer's teammates were active throughout the 12 laps race around the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix circuit. Tiffany Cromwell was present in an early break and Barbara Guarischi featured in the intermediate sprints. Brennauer praised the efforts of her team in delivering her to the finish with a strong lead out. 

"Throughout the race we have been always together and entirely committed to the team's plan. In the last two laps the way we moved through the peloton felt great and I actually had to do nothing but follow my teammates."

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"The finish was good for me because it was a long sprint and all about power. I know that Kirsten and Chloe are both in good form at the moment and they were more powerful than me today. But I feel the way our team worked together and with some power improvements, then it's a really good sign for us."

Brennauer and Cromwell both praised the race organisers following the first edition of the Towards Zero Race Melbourne. "It was really well organised, they've tried to have coverage and exposure which is important for us. It's yet another building block for the event and you can see that it is growing each year. For next year I also would like to see the men's and women's criterium races here today closer together so fans can for example ride in the morning and then come down to watch both races directly one after another," said Cromwell.

Brennauer and Cromwell will both line up again for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road race on Saturday 28 January alongside Barbara Guarischi, Mieke Kröger, Alexis Ryan and Alena Amialiusik.

The 113km race starts at 11:45 AEDT and can be followed on the team's Twitter @WMNcycling, using #CadelRoadRace and by checking local guides for national and international broadcast schedules.

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