Sport
12 February, 2021
Brown to tackle 'Warrny'
CAMPERDOWN export Grace Brown has submitted a late entry for tomorrow’s Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic.
CAMPERDOWN export Grace Brown has submitted a late entry for tomorrow’s Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic.
The Team BikeExchange rider will contest her first ‘Warrny’ after establishing herself on both the national and international scene.
Twenty eight year-old Brown watched the race as a kid in Camperdown and is looking forward to taking on Australia’s oldest, longest and toughest race.
“I remember the event being a big deal as a kid when it used to pass through my childhood town of Camperdown,” she said.
“We would go out with the cycling club and try to spot the local riders among the shattered peloton.
“Although it doesn’t pass through Camperdown anymore, the South West is still a special place for me and it will be very significant to race through the area.”
Brown showed strong form ahead of the 267 kilometre race, finishing second in both the road race and the time trial at last weekend’s AusCycling National Championships.
She would have been flying out to Europe for the start of the racing season over there, but a last-minute change has seen the local join the 228-rider strong field.
“I have never covered the 267-kilometre distance before,” Brown said.
“But I’ve tackled long and intense days on the bike and think that I will get through it okay.
“I have no doubt I’ll meet some mental demons along the way.”
The women’s race is run within the men’s event, with the top finishers in the women’s event often the riders which can adapt to the tactics of the seven-man teams from the National Road Series domestic competition.
“My plan for the women’s race will be to get as far as I can with the strongest group of men I can find,” Brown said.
“I know it will be important to keep an eye out for the other women when splits happen throughout the race.
“I’ll be focusing on conserving as much energy as I can in the wheels and keeping on top of nutrition the whole day.”
Brown is building a reputation for herself as a rider for the tough races, and despite a late start in the sport after a middle-distance running career she’s regarded as one of the most tactically savvy riders.
Now going into her third full year as a professional on the road with the Australian WorldTour squad, Brown is ready for whatever the race throws at her on Saturday.
“I don’t get as nervous now as I used to,” Brown said.
“But I think the unknowns of tackling this distance and all the war stories I’ve heard over the years might put a few butterflies in my stomach!”