It’s a massive result for Bechtel who has only been a part of the National Road Series for the past two and a half years, and only part of club racing the two years before that.

Her move to her new home city inspired her to get involved in a new sport that has now taken her to new heights.

“I started commuting when I moved to Canberra in 2012. [I was like] a competitor-commuter. Once I got over commuter wars then it was Strava wars, then I turned to pinning on the number and doing the real thing,” she said.

“[Before that] it was mostly social netball on a Sunday night with my hungover friends. I’ve fallen in love with the sport. I’ve thrown myself at it 100 per cent and I love doing it.”

Bechtel, 28, and the other leading women’s chances all started off with the second group of riders, the challenge being to stay in that group for the run home.

By the time the largest portion of that group had come over the finish line Bechtel was the only woman still there.

Bechtel almost lost contact with the main group on the Rockley Mount climb but found a wheel to keep herself in a strong position.

“The aim was to make sure I was still with the group when they went over the top of the hill because I knew there would be 15 more kays of hard, fast riding and that there was a big group behind,” she said.

“I nearly got dropped off the back but with the help of one other guy we worked hard to get back on, managed to have a bit of a rest then kept on going.”

Bechtel said the race was a big test not only since it was her first time taking on the B2B but because of her unfamiliarity with the competition.

“I had to test my sprint legs yesterday at the criterium. Got some work to do against the ‘trackies’ from NSWIS but I’m working on some higher intensity,” she said. “There were some super strong riders in there, some I hadn’t seen before and others that I had.” 

Bechtel missed the event last year with a broken collarbone but said she would be back next year for sure.