Judith Arndt (HTC-Highroad) has begun her 2011 season in characteristic winning fashion by taking the first stage of the Women’s Tour of New Zealand between Martinborough and Masterton. The German veteran outsprinted a group of nine riders at the end of the predominantly flat 95km stage; Catherine Cheatley (New Zealand) finished second, with Ruth Corset (Jayco-AIS) in third.
"Our riders did a great job today executing our strategy and I'm happy with the way the team worked together," said HTC-Highroad sports director Ronny Lauke. "A group of six riders held the break and were later joined by three with only 10km to go, and the race came down to the sprint as we had expected and planned for."
"Our plan was to attack on the last climb, and to put pressure on the other teams,” Lauke explained. "The young riders did a great job controlling the group until then, and when the time came Amber Neben did a great lead out for Judith, who brought it home."
The decisive split came with 20km to go, where a six-rider group escaped, including Arndt and new HTC-Highroad teammate Amber Neben. They were joined by the other three 10km later, making nine riders up front, and Arndt proved to be the fastest on the Masterton finishing straight.
The 10-second bonus on the line gives Arndt the race leader’s jersey, ahead of Cheatley and Corset.
The sprint for tenth place was taken by HTC-Highroad’s über-sprinter Ina Teutenberg, for whom the race was a first competitive outing of the year; her morale has been boosted by the early victory for her compatriot and long-time teammate. “Great start with Judith winning from small group,” she said via Twitter. “The Girls rode super good. My legs are bit more awake now."
Result stage 1
1. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC-Highroad
2. Catherine Cheatley (NZl) New Zealand
3. Ruth Corset (Aus) Team Jayco-AIS
4. Joanne Hogan (Aus) Team Jayco-VIS
5. Vicki Whitelaw (Aus) Team Jayco-VIS
6. Rachel Neylan (Aus) Diadora-Pasta Zara
7. Linda Villumsen (NZl) New Zealand
8. Amber Neben (USA) HTC-Highroad
9. Shara Gillow (Aus) Team Jayco-AIS @ 4s
10. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC-Highroad @ 35s
Standings after stage 1
1. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC-Highroad
2. Catherine Cheatley (NZl) New Zealand @ 4s
3. Ruth Corset (Aus) Team Jayco-AIS @ 6s
4. Joanne Hogan (Aus) Team Jayco-VIS @ 10s
5. Vicki Whitelaw (Aus) Team Jayco-VIS