Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling will be lining up for its first race of the Australian summer this Saturday, 1st of November, at the Subaru Noosa Open Criterium, in Noosa, Queensland. Last year’s event saw Peta Mullens take second place, in her very first appearance in the black and orange jersey, after escaping mid race with Katrin Garfoot (QAS).
Mullens, the 2010 race winner, will be lining up for Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling once more, along with New Zealand Criterium Champion Emily Collins. Just as Mullens made her team debut in the Noosa Crit last year, this year sees 20-year-old Jess Mundy make her return to the orange and black squad, having raced as a guest rider in the 2013 Mitchelton Bay Classics series.
Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling Managing Director Rochelle Gilmore won the Noosa Crit in 2007, but this time will be part of the Channel 7 commentary team, alongside Matt Keenen, as it covers the event.
“The Noosa cycling event is massive, in terms of spectators and professionalism, “Gilmore said. “It’s difficult to describe, everyone in Noosa this weekend will be buzzing on the sports festival atmosphere. You’ll never have seen so many fit people in one small coastal town!
“Wiggle Honda will be there with a small team to support the women’s event at the end of a long European season.”
Despite starting with just three riders, Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling will be one of the strongest line ups in the race. Nevertheless, the black and orange riders are expecting fierce competition from many of the domestic teams, and Specialized-Securitor in particular.
To add some spice to the expected in-race rivalry, the two teams will meet on the tennis court on Friday, 31st of October, at the Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort, Noosa Heads, where Mullens, Collins, Mundy and Gilmore will take on Specialized-Securitor’s Kimberley Wells, Verita Stewart, Elizabeth Doueal and Claire Trembath.
Fans, followers, spectators and media are all welcome to attend the match, which will start at 2:30pm, to see which team will gain the upper hand before the following day’s race.
Along with the Criterium and tennis match, Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s athletes will also be attending the Noosa Sport and Lifestyle Expo and Noosa Tri Official Event Launch on Thursday, as well as Friday’s Tour de Noosa Cycle and Breakfast with the Stars, which leaves the Noosa Surf Club at 6am.
“In general, Wiggle Honda are enjoying their end of season break and will attend the Noosa event with low expectations before ramping things up for their Summer Down Under Campaign which includes Tazzie, Bay Crits, Nationals and TDU!” Gilmore explained.
“Our team will enjoy the sun and fun in Noosa, hoping for a great race and result on Saturday!”
