19/01/2005 The Advertiser Women's Criterium Series Race 1, Adelaide I woke up to find five of Australia's top female cyclist on the front cover of the Advertiser, Kate Bates, Alex Rhodes, Lorian Graham, Sara Carrigan and Nat Bates and I suddenly realised that four of those riders would be riding together as a team! Alex Rhodes, Kate Bates, Nat Bates and possibly Jess Mclean formed a strong team that certainly dominated and controlled the first race of the women's TDU series. Each of the above riders would take their turn to make an attack in attempt to form a breakaway while the remainder of their team would move to the front of the bunch and control the pace. It was clear to all of us what they were doing, yet they still managed to outsmart us all! Alex was on fire last night, she knew what she had to do to win and she did it. I must say that the riding from Kate and Nat Bates definitely contributed to her win as they were two extremely strong riders in the race that would not chase her. While we all concentrated on the likes of Kate, Nat and Sara, it was the perfect opportunity for Alex to steal the show by using her strength in a solo break! I had good legs last night but perhaps not as good as those of Alex Rhodes! Well done Alex. I can not possibly finish second again. Let's see what happens! Australia, January 18, 2005 Results 1 Alexis Rhodes (SA) 40 pts 2 Rochelle Gilmore (NSW) Safi-Pasta Zara-Manhattan 38 3 Jenny Macpherson (Vic) 36 4 Emma Rickards (Vic) 34 5 Bianca Rogers 32 6 Kate Nichols (NSW) 30 7 Claire Baxter (Vic) 28 8 Katherine Bates (NSW) Ton Van Bemmelen/AA Drink 26 9 Emma James (NSW) Randwick Botany/FRF Couriers 24 10 Amanda Spratt (NSW) 22 L'australiana Rochelle Gilmore - Photo@Rachel Burke