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Good on you mum, you're No.1 |
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Written by Courier Mail
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Sunday, 10 January 2010 |
QUEENSLAND'S Ruth Corset has claimed her first Australian road cycling title at age 32, overcoming a determined German and extreme heat in the national women's road race championship at Ballarat in Victoria.
Watched by her husband and two daughters aged 5 and 7, Corset went one better than her silver medal of a year ago. Yesterday she beat Victorian Bridie O'Donnell and German Judith Arndt for top honours in the gruelling race.
``To have them here watching made it so special,'' Corset said after being congratulated by her family at the finish line.
``This is a dream come true for me. It really hasn't sunk in. But it's been my goal since I started.''
A late starter in the sport who has developed into a renowned climber, Corset managed to chase down early escapee Arndt with 15km remaining in the 102km race to set up victory.
It was an extraordinary victory for a woman who only began competitive cycling four years ago.
``On the last climb I just gave it everything I had, really everything I had, and I got away,'' said the Townsville mother, who will ride with a professional team in the US this year while seeking Australian selection for both the world road championships and the Commonwealth Games.
Veteran Michael Rogers has earmarked today's men's race as the first step towards a full-on assault on the Tour de France in July.
Rogers, 30, should have won the national title last year, but finished a close second behind the low-profile Peter McDonald.
His job will be made easier if, as seems likely, the biggest name in the peloton, Robbie McEwen, is forced to miss the race after re-injuring his left knee, which he originally damaged in a crash in Belgium in May.
Caption: LOOK KIDS: Mother of two Ruth Corset celebrates victory in the women's road race.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 19 January 2010 )
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