First win of the season!

Ally Wollaston started the season in grand form. After winning the omnium event at the Track League earlier this week she added her first road win of the season to her palmares. Her powerful sprint led to victory in the Schwalbe Classic.

The Schwalbe Classic is a warm-up criterium before the first Women’s World Tour race of the season: the Tour Down Under that starts Sunday. That meant there was a strong field at the start of the one-hour long race. Ally represented Team New Zealand in Australia and beat Michaela Drummond and Nina Buijsman in a fast sprint in the streets of Adelaide.

Ally raced attentively and joined a breakaway of seven riders with fast riders like Ruby Roseman-Gannon and Drummond. AG Insurance-Soudal Quick-Step teammate Anya Louw was also part of the group that stayed away and sprinted for the win. Ally placed a powerful jump and won her first race of the year.

Anya, riding for the national team of Australia, came in 7th. Both riders will start in the Tour Down Under on Sunday and show with this result they can go for something great against the best teams in the world.

"I’m really proud to get the first win of the year for the team. I raced aggressively and attentively and thankfully it paid off for me today! It’s a great confidence boost going into the rest of the week."