Video/report: Elvin wins second Australian women’s road race title, Ewan takes Under 23 gold
Highlights from today’s races Making history when she became the first woman in two decades to take two consecutive national road race titles, Gracie Elvin outsprinted Lauren Kitchen (NSW) and last year’s Subaru National Road Series winner Katrin Garfoot (QLD) at the end of the 102 kilometre women’s race today. Elvin’s success was the third straight road champs win for her Orica GreenEdge team, with Amanda Spratt winning two years ago. “I’ve been watching cycling for as long as I can remember, so it means a lot to me to really see my dreams come true,” Elvin said at the end of the race in Buninyong. “I heard that [she could equal Kathy Watt, who won between 1992 and 1994 – ed.], but I wasn’t really thinking about it. I guess I put a bit of pressure on myself without realising it, but I just had to trust myself once [...]
Video: Von Hoff, Roy, Roper and Ewan take gold medals in Australian criterium championships
Sprint finishes settle each race, attention now turns to weekend road races Garmin-Sharp rider Steele Von Hoff blazed in ahead of the field to take the Australian elite criterium championship title in Ballarat today, finishing two seconds ahead of the Avanti riders Anthony Giacoppo and Brenton Jones. Defending champion Cameron Meyer (Orica GreenEdge) tried to ride clear during the race but was brought back; he finished a further two seconds back in fourth. “To finally win the national champs on home soil is a really good omen for the rest of the year for me,” said an elated von Hoff, who had helped former champion Giacoppo to his win two years ago. “I’ve done well in the criteriums in Australia but I’ve never got the breakthrough win until now." The 2011 champion Jonathan Cantwell and two of his fellow Drapac Pro Cycling riders Robbie Hucker and Adam Phelan fell on [...]
Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic: Three stages out of four for Bronini, who takes overall title
Hosking accuses team of collusion, unhappy with way break was brought backCementing what was a dominant display by herself and her Wiggle Honda team in the race, triple world champion Giorgia Bronzini blazed home to take her third stage victory plus overall success in the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic today. The Italian rider easily won the bunch sprint in Williamstown, beating Valentina Scandolara (Orica-AIS), Tiffany Cromwell (Specialized Securitor), Chloe Hosking (Roxsolt), Annette Edmondson (Orica-AIS) and the rest of the peloton to the line. Her Wiggle Honda team-mate Peta Mullens sealed victory in the green jersey competition, while their squad was best in the teams classification. “I am really happy because I bring my yellow jersey to the finish and I think the green jersey also so we are really happy because today the team worked so well,” said Bronzini. “I think [expected – ed.] to come here and be good, [...]
Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic: Jones takes overall as Ewan grabs stage win on final day
Video highlights from final stage in WilliamstownTwo years after being left in a coma by a bad racing crash, the young Australian rider Brenton Jones (Procon Telematics’) moved a step closer to a big pro career when he won the final overall classification in the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic. Jones finished second on the fourth and final stage, sprinting in behind another highly promising young Australian, Caleb Ewan, and just ahead of the overnight leader Zakkari Dempster (Sasi). That final gallop proved crucial, seeing him end the four day race just one point ahead of Dempster in the general classification. Speaking afterwards, he explained that he got important advice from a twelve time Tour de France stage winner and three-time Maillot Vert. “I had a few text messages and a call from Robbie McEwen last night,” Jones revealed. “He gave me some nice advice and said ‘be strong, be smart [...]
Durbridge in impressive form in Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic
Stage victory moves Australian champion close to yellow jersey of Dempster Luke Durbridge proved he will be one of the main riders to beat in the upcoming Australian national championships when he powered to victory on today’s third stage of the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic. The 2013 national road race and TT champion broken clear early on with Ballarat’s Patrick Shaw (Satalyst), built a lead of over a minute and stayed out ahead for over half of the Portarlington criterium. Shaw was then no match for him when it came to the gallop to the line, with Durbridge taking the win with some ease. It was his second consecutive win on the circuit, and followed on from his runner-up slot two years ago. “I don’t mind the old Portarlington circuit,” he said afterwards, with a little understatement. “I’m glad it stayed dry, but I think it is the third time [...]
Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic: Bronzini looking good for overall victory after win on stage three
See video highlights from women’s and men’s racesThree time world champion Giorgia Bronzini notched up her second win in three days and solidified her place at the top of the general classification in the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic today. The Wiggle Honda rider sprinted in well ahead of Annette Edmondson (Orica-AIS) and Tiffany Cromwell (Specialized Securitor) at the end of the third stage, which was held in Portarlington. Her final effort saw her finish well clear of the others, underlining her dominant form. “I am really, really happy because it is the first time that we meet for the season, and we work so well and it is a good feeling with the girls. I am really happy,” the Italian enthused. Her teammate Peta Mullens was once again aggressive, joining another Wiggle Honda rider Charlotte Becker, Valentina Scandolara (Orica-AIS) and Gracie Elvin (Jayco National Team) in the day’s main break. [...]