Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling is sending a team of top class sprinters to the Subaru Australian Open Criterium, on Saturday 2 November, in Noosa, Queensland, including three former winners of the prestigious event. 2012 winner Lauren Kitchen took the race in a breakaway, but is looking forward to supporting her fast finishing teammates this time.
“I’m really excited to be given the opportunity to race again in the Noosa crit,” Kitchen said. “I have some great memories of the action packed race and look forward to supporting the team to defend my title from last year!”
The race will see 2010 race winner Peta Mullens start her first race in the black and orange colours of Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling, with her transfer to the team having had immediate effect.
“I took my first victory for Honda at the Noosa GP in 2010 so it feels right that this would be my return to racing, and my debut race with the Wiggle Honda Team,” Mullens said. “I’m excited to step onto the start line in my new kit alongside some fresh faces and put on a show for the massive crowds in Noosa!”
Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling team manager Rochelle Gilmore is another former winner of the prestigious criterium, having taken victory in 2007, and is looking forward to leading the team in Australia for the first time after its successful first season in Europe.
“I’m excited to be racing in Noosa again, it’s always an action packed race with huge crowds!” Gilmore exclaimed. “The competition is getting stronger every year however as always, Wiggle Honda will start with the ambition to win the prestigious event! We’ve chosen a team of world class sprinters for 2013’s edition of the Noosa GP!”
Alongside the three Australians will be New Zealander Emily Collins, who will make her Noosa debut. The speedy Kiwi will certainly be one to watch, having taken Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s first ever victory in Belgium back in March.
“This will be my first time racing the Noosa GP and I’ve only heard great things about it, Collins said. “I’ve always wanted to compete there as sounds like it’s an exciting event with top atmosphere and a bit of fun along the way. I’ve had some time off after the Euro season but after a few weeks back on the bike I’m ready to get back to racing it so Noosa should be a good one to kick things off again with Wiggle Honda. Looking forward to it!”
