British rider Danielle King (Wiggle-High5) is sat in fourth overall in the Santos Women’s Tour Down Under after three of the four stages.
King is currently tied on time with the other three riders in the top four: overall leader Katrin Garfoot (Orica-AIS), Lauren Kitchen (Hitec) and Shelley Olds (Cylance Pro Cycling).
The 25-year-old from Southampton reported that she crashed inside the final kilometre of Monday’s stage three, saying on Twitter: “Bad luck for me today crashing after my chain jammed with 800m to go! On the positive side I won the KOM and took most impact on my head.”
Bad luck for me today crashing after my chain jammed with 800m to go! On the positive side I won the KOM and took most impact on my head 👍🏻
— Dani King (@DaniKing1) January 18, 2016
You'll be able to spot our @DaniKing1 at the #SWT @tourdownunder Crit tomorrow night! 5.30pm centre of Adelaide! pic.twitter.com/1m7gem8xlu
— Wiggle High5 (@WiggleHigh5) January 16, 2016
Lizzie Williams (Orica-AIS) won stage three ahead of Garfoot, with Kitchen, Olds and King 19 seconds behind in a chase group.
Garfoot has led the race since winning stage one to Mount Torrens. King has led the King (Queen) of the Mountains competition from day one, after placing third in the opener.
The four top-placed riders overall go into Tuesday’s final stage seeking to grab valuable time and clinch the win in the UCI 2.2-ranked race.
Stage four’s course offers little opportunity to break free from the peloton and gain serious seconds: it’s a flat stage based on a 1.2-kilometre circuit that will be ridden for one hour plus two laps.
King is aiming to compete for Great Britain in the road race at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro having previously been part of the British team pursuit set-up on the track.
The men’s Tour Down Under starts on Tuesday, January 19, and runs until Sunday, January 24.
Watch: Women’s WorldTour contenders 2016
Results
Women’s Tour Down Under 2016: Stage three
1. Lizzie Williams (Aus) Orica-AIS in 2-45-17
2. Katrin Garfoot (Aus) Orica-AIS at 19 secs
3. Lauren Kitchen (Aus) Hitec Products
4. Shelley Olds (USA) Cylance Pro Cycling
5. Danielle King (GBr) Wiggle-High5 at same time
6. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Canyon SRAM at 24 secs
7. Amanda Spratt (Aus) Orica-AIS at 40 secs
8. Kimberley Wells (Aus) at 4-28
9. Julie Leth (Den) Hitec Products
10. Jessica Huston (Aus) at same time
Overall classification after stage three
1. Katrin Garfoot (Aus) Orica-AIS in 5-49-06
2. Lauren Kitchen (Aus) Hitec Products
3. Shelley Olds (USA) Cylance Pro Cycling
4. Danielle King (GBr) Wiggle-High5 at same time
5. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Canyon SRAM at 14 secs
6. Lizzie Williams (Aus) Orica-AIS at 28 secs
7. Amanda Spratt (Aus) Orica-AIS at 1-08
8. Kimberley Wells (Aus) at 4-56
9. Emily Collins (Aus) TIBCO
10. Jessica Huston (Aus) at same time
Other
52. Amy Roberts (GBr) Wiggle-High5 at 19-43
53. Lucy Garner (GBr) Wiggle-High5 at 21-06
60. Gaby Leveridge (GBr) at 26-45
