Not only did Ashlee Ankudinoff show superb cycling ability in the women's NSW International Grand Prix series at Cronulla and Wollongong over the weekend, she also produced plenty of composure and focus.
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Ankudinoff (St George and AIS) was first across the finish line on both days but was relegated to ninth at Cronulla on Saturday because of a technicality following a crash in which she was involved.
She was ruled to have re-entered the race a little early and the race was awarded to Kimberley Wells (Specialised Securitor).
But Ankudinoff did not let that controversial decision phase her.
She came out in near gale force winds at Flagstaff Hill yesterday and this time the win could not be taken away from her.
Ankudinoff, 21, is no stranger to setbacks, missing selection in the Australia team for the London Olympics when many believe she should have been there.
But she also knows how to fight back with some great results after the Olympics, which included finishing second in the World Cup in teams pursuit and omnium to the Olympic champions last month.
Gracie Elvin (Jayco-AIS) finished second in yesterday's race, with New Zealander Sophie Williamson (Bates Bikes) third.
"It was unfortunate yesterday [Saturday] after finishing first but I just wanted to come out here and really do as well as I did yesterday," Ankudinoff said.
"It's a tough, tough course. Really windy. It was a tough race today. The wind was always going to play a factor and the GreenEdge girls got on the front and really drove it hard and split the bunch to pieces.
"In the end Gracie and I got away with three laps to go. It was a real perfectly time breakaway where we just drove it together.
"It just came down to a little kick between her and myself and I'm really happy to take the win. The wind got caught in our wheels some time and we just had to be really careful with where we sat in the bunch."
With Wells finishing well back yesterday, Williamson, from Central Otago, claimed the overall series on a countback from Lauren Kitchen (Dream Team-Rabobank) in second place and Ankudinoff third.
"It's been a pretty awesome weekend for us girls," Williamson said.
"We came over hoping to do well. We managed to get a couple of top-five placings so it was good. We were aggressive the whole time and it worked out very well for us in the end."
After arriving in Sydney on Friday night, Williamson and her fellow Kiwi women riders head back to New Zealand this morning.
"The wind played a factor but the beaches are lovely," she said.
Williamson vowed to return next year and defend her title.
