Ballarat’s Shannon Malseed has helped lay the foundation for an Australian gold medal in the women’s road race at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
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She did the bulk of the pacemaking to set up the race for teammate Chloe Hosking, who won in a sprint finish.
Malseed worked her way to front early, making it clear the national road race champion had a major support role to play in the six-strong Australian team.
The workload ultimately took a toll, with the 23-year-old dropping out of the lead bunch with about 5km to go.
Hosking won from New Zealand's Georgia Williams, with Danielle Rowe (Wales) third - covering the 118km in three hours, two minutes, 18 seconds.
Malseed finished 24th, 3:22 down, of the 33 to get to the line from 49 starters.
It was Malseed’s Commonwealth Games debut, having secured selection by taking out the national roiad race title in Buninyong in January.