Grace Brown's national championship win sets the tone for Women's Tour Down Under

Grace Brown started off her season on a high note by winning the ITT Australian national championship, and now she has her sights set on the Women's Tour Down Under.

“I had a bit of a tough gig at the National Road Championships on my own, so I am very happy to have my French squad here, and they will be sporting me really well during the races," she told Cyclingnews.

She realises that the road to victory will be difficult, particularly in light of the formidable competition from top elite riders and those who have specifically trained for the national championship.“It’s always difficult in this race, we obviously know the form a bit of the Australian riders that competed at the National Championships, but everyone that is coming over from Europe or America, we are a bit unsure where they are at,” Brown said.

The three-day competition comprises of one flat stage and two hilly stages, and she knows who to be cautious of. “I think maybe Ally Woollaston from New Zealand, especially in the sprint will be one to watch but I can’t really give an educated answer to that,” concluded Brown.