Arndt wins Qatar for GreenEDGE-AIS

The first Australian - based women’s pro team has not dropped a race it has started this season with the win in Qatar doubling as its first international victory.

Bolstered by teammates Arndt contested both intermediate sprints in the 92.5km stage, which she entered with a narrow two second advantage over Trixi Worrack (Specialized-lululemon), to extend her lead to six seconds.

Two-time tour champion Kirsten Wild also picked up time bonuses at both checkpoints to lessen her deficit and finish third 2:06 behind the race winner.

Wild won the opening stage of the tour and added to her tally taking out the Katara Cultural Village finale in a bunch sprint with defending tour champion Ellen Van Dijk (Specialized-lululemon) second and Adriana Visser (Skil-1t4i) third.

“It was all about the bonus seconds so they gave me the perfect lead- outs every time and also in the finish,” the German all-rounder Arndt said post-race.

“You can’t really start any better than to win such a race. It’s better than perfect.”

GreenEDGE-AIS general manager Shayne Bannan followed the team throughout the race that got off to a slow start with the peloton covering less than 30km in the first hour due to headwinds.

“They performed really well at the nationals, the Australian girls, and to come here in the first international event and win it is something pretty special,” Bannan said.

“When there’s only a two second gap you’re always concerned about what could eventuate in the race but the team set Judith up perfectly in the first two sprints. She got (third) in the first one and won the next one and the way they rode the second sprint was a real professional effort.

“They’re really gelling together as group, on points they’ve entered third best team in the world I think so certainly not surprising,” he continued of the team’s result.

“They’re a class act and the experience that Judith and Loes (Gunnewijk) are providing the Australian girls are really lifting as well.”

http://media.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/upload_media/5820_ryan-500-cj.jpg

Kendall Ryan (USA) was the first to brave the headwinds that characterised the first half of the race with the American launching a solo attack within the first 15km.

Ryan achieved a maximum time advantage of three minutes and 25 seconds – the longest gap of the tour – leading the race for some 25km.

But as the peloton split into three and the second sprint check approached Ryan was caught as the lead group prepared to turn south back to Doha.

The front pack of 16 riders including Van Dijk and her Australian sprinter teammate Chloe Hosking as well four of Arndt’s teammates in Gunnewijk, Jessie MacLean, Alexis Rhodes and national road champion Amanda Spratt held a narrow margin over the chasers that included road world gold medallist Girogia Bronzini (Diadora-Pasta Zara).

Aided by a tailwind the two groups came together with about 30km remaining with a bunch sprint for line honours imminent.

Arndt paid tribute to all of her teammates who she anticipates will continue to be competitive throughout the year.

“I knew that they are strong riders and also they are well organised. Normally it takes a while to get to know each other but we understand each other pretty well already,” the 35-year-old said.

The victory will surely improve the team’s standing within the professional peloton but Arndt says that is not an objective.

“We don’t want to send any message we just want to have fun and win and we try to keep doing this all year,” she said.

Wild won the points classification whilst Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Hosking held onto the white jersey of best young rider with her Specialized – lululemon squad winning the team competition.

Bannan is confident GreenEDGE-AIS, which is hoping to make an impact at the team time-trial world championships that are open to trade outfits this year, will remain competitive as the season hots up.

“I reckon they’re a really well-rounded team and I think you’ll see them perform extremely well in the classics and the tours and for their respective countries at the Olympics as well,” he said.

Stage 3: 92.5km, Katara Cultural Village.

1 Kirsten Wild (Ned) Netherlands 2:38:36
2 Elen Van Dijk (Ned) Team Specialized Lululemon
3 Adriana Visser (Ned) Skil-1t4i
4 Judith Arndt (Ger) GreenEdge-AIS
5 Chloe Hosking (Aus) Team Specialized Lululemon
6 Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Diadora-Pasta Zara
7 Monia Baccaille (Ita) MCipollini Giambenini
8 Jessie Maclean (Aus) GreenEdge-AIS
9 Trixi Worrack (Ger) Team Specialized Lululemon
10 Elena Cecchini (Ita) MCipollini Giambenini

General classification:

1 Judith Arndt (Ger) GreenEdge-AIS 8:00:44
2 Trixi Worrack (Ger) Team Specialized Lululemon 0:00:06
3 Kirsten Wild (Ned) Netherlands 0:02:06
4 Elen Van Dijk (Ned) Team Specialized Lululemon 0:02:57
5 Chloe Hosking (Aus) Team Specialized Lululemon 0:03:04
6 Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) GreenEdge-AIS 0:03:12
7 Alexis Rhodes (Aus) GreenEdge-AIS 0:03:33
8 Jessie Maclean (Aus) GreenEdge-AIS 0:05:26
9 Monia Baccaille (Ita) MCipollini Giambenini
10 Elena Cecchini (Ita) MCipollini Giambenini

Twitter: @SophieSmith86

Sophie Smith is in Qatar as a guest of Amaury Sport Organisation