Mullens wins cycling championship

Mountain bike specialist Peta Mullens won the Australian road cycling championship ahead of Rachel Neylan and Shara Gillow.

Mountain biker Peta Mullens has won the Australian women's road cycling championship, outsprinting Rachel Neylan for the gold medal.

While Mullens is better known for her prowess on dirt, she came into Saturday's event as one of the favourites after a strong run of road form.

Neylan, the silver medallist at the 2012 world championships, broke clear on the second-last lap of the 102km race at Buninyong, near Ballarat.

Mullens joined her and the pair quickly built a decisive lead.

Neylan tried to separate herself from Mullens on the last of the 10 laps.

But Mullens stuck to her like glue and had her arms in the air inside the last 50m as she predictably sprinted clear for the win.

Shara Gillow, who won Thursday's time trial, went clear by herself on the last lap and finished 22 seconds behind Mullens and Gillow for the bronze medal.

The win raises questions about what Mullens does this season.

Her main aim is making the mountain bike team for the Rio Olympics, but she will also want to wear the national champion's jersey in European road races.

Silver is also an outstanding result for Neylan, who has struggled with a succession of injuries throughout her career.

Two-time defending champion Gracie Elvin came into the race with strong form, but she was marked heavily.

She finished just behind the main bunch in 22nd place at a minute and 16 seconds.

Elvin's Orica-AIS Amanda Spratt animated the race with a solo attack and stayed away for three laps.

But without breakaway partners her move was never going to work and the peloton came back together with three laps left.


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Source: AAP


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