It was Daniek Hengeveld’s moment of truth when she bravely rode solo to claim her most important UCI Women’s WorldTour victory at Aldinga on Friday.
Hengeveld, 22, claimed the 101.9-kilometre Ziptrak Women’s Stage 1 from Brighton to Aldinga after an unexpected solo to the end stunned the peloton about 50km from the finish.
The Dutch rider admitted doubt had consumed her thoughts as to whether she would return to bike racing after a horrendous crash at the Tour of Britain last June.
Hengeveld broke her jaw, her collarbone and fractured several ribs in the crash.
She said nerves had set in before making her debut for new Ceratizit-WNT team who joined her at the podium to celebrate the shock win on Friday.
“This is so different because it’s my first race after my crash last year on a new team and I lost a little bit of confidence after last year,’’ Hengeveld said.
“I was finally racing like I was 18 and I thought this is why I race.
“I struggled a lot, especially with the mental part of it.
“I could train and enjoy it.
“It was hard to see if I actually still like to ride my bike and how it is to ride with a team that believes in me.
“It’s nice. It’s a good feeling.”
Hengeveld claimed the stage win and holds a 43-second gap over last year’s Ziptrak Stage 1 winner: New Zealand’s Ally Wallston (FDJ-Suez).
Human Powered Health’s Kathrin Schweinberger was on the podium 45 seconds behind Hengeveld.
Hengeveld admitted she could struggle to tackle Willunga Hill twice in Saturday’s Health Partners Stage 2, but remained optimistic that her team would stay aggressive in a bid to cause further shocks during the opening Women’s WorldTour race of the year.
“They will help me, I will help them,’’ Hengeveld said.
“I’m not a typical climber so we will see if I can stay in the lead; otherwise I’ll give it to one of my teammates.
“We just want to be aggressive again and hopefully it works out.
“I did Willunga Hill a few times in my training…I will see.
“I just want to race like a family. It’s small team; I really enjoy the time with them and have fun and get wins.”
Hengeveld takes control of the Santos Ochre Leader’s jersey and the Ziptrak points classification.
She is flanked by ARA Australian Cycling Team’s Alyssa Polites who will wear the efex Queen of the Mountain jersey and lead the Zwift Young Rider classification.
“It’s definitely boosted my confidence,’’ Polites said.
“It’s come at a good time and I’m enjoying the experience on home roads. I had a bit of a crack and it’s OK.”
Key Points
Ziptrak® Sprint #1
35.2km Esplanade (Snapper Point) at Finish Line, Aldinga Beach
Approx. 12:14pm
Ziptrak® Sprint #2
71.7km, Main South Road, Yankalilla at property #109
Approx. 1:12pm
efex Queen of the Mountain #1
50.6km, Queen of the Mountain #1 - Heatherdale Hill (category 1)
Distance: 9.6km, Total Ascent 365m, Maximum Gradient: 14.4%, Average Gradient: 3.8%
Reservoir Road, Sellicks Hill
Approx. 12:38pm
All the jerseys
Ziptrak Stage 1 winner: Daniek Hengeveld (Ceratizit-WNT)
Santos Ochre Leader’s jersey: Daniek Hengeveld (Ceratizit-WNT)
Ziptrak Sprint jersey: Daniek Hengeveld (Ceratizit-WNT)
Efex Queen of the Mountain jersey: Alyssa Polites (ARA Australia)
Zwift Young Rider jersey: Alyssa Polites (ARA Australia)
