Bartels Road – Bartels Road. 42.5km

Stage 4 of the Santos Women's Tour Down Under was all about survival. Easier said than done when mercury is rising to extreme temperatures. The Weather App may have only read 34 degrees. But on the street circuit of the Down Under Classic, a 42.5km criterium in the centre of town, it felt hotter than Hell. Even stood still, spectating was challenging so for our women trying to close out a successful Tour, it was a brutal way to finish a sizzling four stage Women's Tour.

Once again, the team was represented in the Top 10, with two times Track World Champion Amy Cure crossing the line in ninth. It may not have been exactly the result the team or individuals within it had hoped for, but this was nothing short of a trailblazing Tour for the Specialized Women's Racing team. Two riders, Jaime Gunning and Taryn Heather, claimed top 10 finishes. But more crucially, Jaime secured the U23 White Jersey, almost two minutes ahead of her closest rival - thanks largely to her incredible efforts on Mengler Hill and a team that had her back for the whole race, particularly the experienced Taryn Heather who shepherded our 'Joey' through a packed peloton vying for young blood.

A result of this nature is not only testament to the talent and teamwork of the women that ride, but also the people behind the scenes and beyond Specialized and Black Sheep. So we would like to take this opportunity to wholeheartedly thank the other sponsors and supporters of Specialized who committed their time and resources to make this incredible result a possibility.They are Team Manager Liz Phillipou; Sporting Director Mark Brady; Media Manager Nicole Moerig; Mechanic Mick Brown; sponsor and super Soigneur Chris Stevens / CartGis and the best mentor and coffee gofer in the business Peta Stewart / Peta Stewart Conveyancing.

THE WOMEN'S UNOFFICIAL OFFICIAL AFTER PARTY

Only our team would be late to their own party and bring an Anti-Doping Representative with them for company, but hey #cyclinglife and the strongest thing on offer was an Aperol Spritz … So, the sherbets flowed, stories of the four-stage Women's Race were embellished and good times were had.

Until next year WTDU!