Canberra's Kimberley Wells emerged triumphant from a bunch sprint to win the opening stage of the Tour of the Goldfields in the 20-lap criterium at Victoria Park in Ballarat on Friday.
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Wells, who claimed two medals at the Oceania Track Championships in Adelaide last week, left it to the last minute to chase line honours after Bridie O'Donnell almost pulled off a remarkable stage victory with an impressive five-lap solo effort.
Breakaway specialist O'Donnell was caught on the final lap after holding a 19-second advantage before being reeled in by the peloton.
Wells – last year's criterium national champion – won the bunch finish ahead of National Road Series leader Ruth Corset and Victorian Chloe McConville.
"I'm pretty excited to get ourselves an early lead," Wells said.
"I was pretty stoked to know the first stage of the Tour of the Goldfields would be a criterium because that is certainly something I do quite well in."
The Tour of the Goldfields continues on Saturday with a team time trial followed by the road race.
