In a frenetic finish, Kimberley Wells has shown her strength and sprinted home to win Stage 4 of the 2016 Santos Women’s Tour for the High5 Dream Team ahead of Annette Edmondson and Katrin Garfoot.

“That was absolutely fantastic. I’ve been really pushing to be in there for a sprint finish the whole tour and finally got one out there with the High5 Dream Team today in front of this fantastic crowd. I’m so excited!” said Wells.

The stage started in oppressively humid conditions and the race was controlled by the Wiggle High5 and Orica-AIS squads, who were quick to close down any escapes.

Following the team plan to the letter, Kendelle Hodges launched a stinging attack, and was quickly joined by Joanna Kiesanowski, Erin Kinnealy and Valentina Scandolara.  The quartet managed to establish a lead that hovered around 15 seconds before they were caught in the closing stages.

“We had a plan to get a rider into a break to allow Kimbers to save her strength in the peloton. I managed to get away with three riders and we held off the peloton for a while, forcing Orica-AIS to do a lot of work to bring us back. I’m so happy the High5 Dream Team worked so well together tonight to help get Kimbers up for the win”

As speeds reached 60 kilometres per hour on the final lap, Wells and her High5 teammates remained cool, followed the right wheels, and executed a perfect sprint to take the win in front of huge crowds at Adelaide’s Victoria Park.

“That last lap was so fast, it was so hectic. I was trying to follow good wheels for the final sprint. We all saw what happened on Stage 2 with Wiggle High5 and their lead out train, so I didn’t want to get dominated by that again. I used a lot of energy on the back straight to try and get myself in a good position for the really sharp corner, and when I went for it, I never looked back!” concluded Wells.

Next on the National Road Series calendar is the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race on 30 January.