Ally Wollaston goes back to back at Great Ocean Road Race after blistering sprint

The race followed the familiar Geelong circuit, with the steep ramp of Challambra Crescent looming as the key launchpad late on. 

Early on, Petra Stiasny (Human Powered Health) slipped away alone and was quickly granted a huge leash, stretching her advantage to around eight minutes as the peloton settled into a controlled chase. Once the wind picked up, the tempo sharpened and teams began to organise, with Picnic PostNL, FDJ United-SUEZ, Visma | Lease a Bike among those helping keep their leaders sheltered as the gap started to tumble.

The finale was tense and fast, and that nervousness showed. Stiasny’s long solo ended on the first ascent of Challambra, while crashes disrupted the run in. On the climb, Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ) lit the fuse for compatriot and teammate Mavi García, with Magdeleine Vallieres of EF Education-Oatly also pushing the pace as a select group formed.

After a rapid descent brought more riders back, Sarah Van Dam (Visma | Lease a Bike) hit the deck before regrouping, and the attacks kept coming on the final passage of Challambra. Favourite Ally Wollaston was briefly distanced but clawed her way back. 

In the closing kilometres, García kept probing, then launched a late move to try to force a gap at the death. It all still came back together for a sprint, and Wollaston had another gear, sealing the win with unmistakable authority.

The men’s race takes place tomorrow, you can read our preview here.