MATILDA Raynolds will look back fondly on her historic Melbourne to Warrnambool women's victory for more than just the win itself.
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The 33-year-old became the first woman in the race's 125-year history to win back-to-back titles on Saturday, edging out RoxsoltLivSram's Justine Barrow and Sydney Uni-Staminade's Nicole Frain.
An exhausted Raynolds said the thought of making history didn't come across her mind until late in the gruelling 267-kilometre race.
"It wasn't until the last few kilometres that I started thinking about the win and I really wanted it so you never know how it's going to go," she said.
"We were with a group of guys and I just found the right wheel. I'm used to racing the guys and I was on the right wheel and got out ahead of the pack and it worked so kudos to everyone that got across the line."
The Specialized Women's Racing rider said she was unsure about returning but knows there was plenty of memories she could take out of what could be her final Warrny.
"I said that last year and I'm really trying to remind myself how this feels and how hard the event was but in the end I do love it," she said.
"It's an incredible event, it's incredibly well organised and it's amazing we get to fly along the highway and it is shut for us, that is insane.
"To be able to race with the best men's domestic talent, the best women and then also we had the Olympic men's pursuit team - I was just looking around me talking to some of the guys during the race.
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"It's just amazing what they're going on to do this year and I can say I was racing next to them."
Raynolds was impressed by Frain and Barrow's rides and relished the chance for different kinds of cyclists to race together.
"We (the women's riders) never worked together necessarily but we were checking in on one another, checking if anyone needed a bottle or they were feeding OK and checking in how they were going," she said.
"It does make a real difference when you know people in the peloton like that. I give full credit to the guys, they weren't easy on us but they were respectful and helpful.
"The thing I love about it is I'm not a female cyclist, I'm just a cyclist and everyone out there, no matter the grade or the gender you are out there going as fast as you can and I just love that.
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"It's whoever can make it there the fastest and go the furthest and the conditions were great and we were quicker than last year even though it was a completely different race.
"But you can just never read it there was so many different scenarios this year and it was a great and safe race."
Raynolds said the win would boost her confidence after a disappointing start to 2021.
"That is always good for people to remember is when you do have disappointments they will move through even though when it happens, when your in the moment, they feel horrific and you don't feel like you will get over it and you feel like handing in your pro card and giving it all up," she said.
"But those moments pass and I think that is like with anything and good times will come.
"I'm actually going to stop and enjoy this more because I haven't finished a race this year because of a few crashes and unfortunate luck so to finish here today and to get the win I'm going to enjoy it."
Raynolds said her interrupted preparations for the race worked in her favour.
"I didn't tick all the green boxes in training peaks and have had an incredibly busy work period and a couple of other opportunities going on outside of cycling so it has been a very districting few and exhausting few weeks," she said.
"I haven't slept too much so maybe it was a bonus I didn't have too much time to think it over or didn't overthink the situation and I'm even more relived to get through because I felt horrific today.
"The bonus is you have 270ks to try and feel good and it took me until 150 to start feeling a little better. Even though last year's race was possibly harder this year's race felt worse so they are on par."
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