Chapman holds off charge of champion

AUSTRALIAN Brodie Chapman held her nerve against world champion Annemiek van Vleuten to win the first women’s Jayco Herald Sun Tour.

While van Vleuten dominated yesterday’s time trial in Melbourne, Chapman did enough to maintain her lead and confirm her upset win.

It caps a breakout month for the 26-year-old, who recovered from an injury-plagued 2017 to finish sixth at the national road championships and 15th in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

Chapman produced an outstanding solo ride to win Tuesday’s first stage, giving her a 12second lead over van Vleuten.

The Dutch star, reigning world time-trial champion and world No.1, clocked 2min 9.62 sec over the 1.6km course yesterday for the stage win.

Top Australian time trial rider Kat Garfoot was second at 1.41 sec. Chapman was 17th at 7.30sec, meaning she won the tour by five seconds.

“It does feel good. I’m glad I could pull it through for the team,” the KordaMentha national team member said.

“My prerogative was just to stay tidy, keep it safe and have a good time out there.

“I’m really proud to be the first woman to win.

“It’s very satisfying to have your hard work and mental determination pay off.”

Chapman is on the hunt for a professional contract.

“I’d like to race my bike a lot more overseas,” the road cyclist and mountain biker said.

It was also a big day for van Vleuten, who raced for the first time in the rainbow stripes of the world time trial champion.

“For me, today wasn’t to win the Tour, yesterday it was, but today, it was to win the time trial,” she said.

“It makes me proud and reminds me again about becoming world champion.

“To win in the world champion’s jersey, in Australia, makes me very proud.”