After two days for the sprinters (well, and almost one day for escapee Adam Hansen) the Bay Classic Series continues with a hilly circuit in Portarlington today. The criterium features a short but steep climb up the Harding Street, with an impressive view to Port Philip in the background.
Obviously, the race-favourites change for today's stage. Chris Sutton dominated the first two days, but is likely to rest on his laurels today, while other riders will try to have a shot at a victory: ProTour-invitee William Walker (Pearl Adidas, riding for Orica-Australasian) is expected to be one of the strongest, with his compatriots Simon Gerrans (Oz) and Nathan Haas (Risa) having good chances as well.
The "Internationals" Mohammad Saufi Mat Senan (Terengganu), Meyin Wang, Erdenebayar Daspuntsag (both riding for Champion System) or Meiji's Junya Sano (Japan National Team) join these Aussies for today's list of favorites, while Kiwi-talent George Bennett may have an outside chance, too.
It may not be a day for the sprinters, but this doesn't mean they will hiding today: Ricki Nelson (Budget), who disappointed so far in the Series (with only 3 points gained as yesterday's 8th), Alex Meenhorst (Orica) and young gun Alexander Edmondson (Drapac, he will ride for Rothaus as a stagiare later this year) broke free right after the start.
Veteran Hayden Roulston (NZL) and Mohamed Harrif Salleh (Champion System) jumped behind one lap later, while the peloton is already down by 1'30". Anyway, it's still 50km to go.
And the attacking continues: with 32km remaining, a group of 4 riders goes on the attack. Tim Kennaugh (GBR), always-attacking Tomohiro Kinoshita (JPN), Mohammad Saufi Mat Senan (Champion) and local hero Lachlan Morton (Genesys) build a rather strong group, as Met Senan has been mentioned as one of the more dangerous riders today.
With 21km remaining, the chase group already passes the early escapees easily, while the peloton looks still under control with still about 1'20" in arrears.
The leading group is down to 4 riders as all of today's first escapees suffered to hang on. On penultimate climb (8km left) group Mat Senan/Kinoshita leads by 1'00" on the pack, fighting hard to survive this ascent with enough of a gap to just concentrate on battling out the win.
But the top-favorites haven't give up trying yet: Simon Gerrans (Oz) makes his move, quickly establishing a small advantage on the bunch. The Aussie veteran still has a decent kick on a steep climb like this, it seems.
William Walker (Orica), Meyin Wang (Champion) and Nathan Earle (UniSA) did react immediately, but couldn't bridge the small gap to Gerrans by now. The leading group already enters the final descent, with a comfortable lead of still more than 1'00"!
On the last flat section, Mat Senan and Morton try to move ahead of the breakaway, but Kennaugh looks concentrated enough to keep contact. Pursuer Gerrans is still 1'00" down with now 3,5km remaining:
E1
<- 1'00" ->
E2
<- 35" ->
E3
Mat Senan
Gerrans
W. Walker
Morton
Wang
Kennaugh
Earle
Kinoshita
Sano
Haas
Morton isn't done yet! He attacks once again, this time leaving Mat Senan behind.. this young man is motivated as a man can be and makes a final push for the finish on his own, as Kennaugh is the only one of the leading group, who tries to follow!
And with the finish line approaching, Morton is still maintaining the lead, while his former breakaway companions Kinoshita and Mat Senan are already down by 20".. Simon Gerrans is within sight, cutting the gap to 35". Anyway, he seems to be out of reach for today's victory..
Morton claims the victory! What a thrilling finish it was, Kennaugh came close, but failed to pass Morton. This may only be a pre-season event, but the Australian proves to be worth the hype about himself. The future superstar impressively demonstrated that he's not only going to be a great climber, but that he has also a good nose for attacking at the right time.
Gerrans may be 12 years older than Morton, but the veteran had a good timing with his kick, too. He managed to pass Mat Senan to finish 4th behind Kinoshita, 30" behind Morton.
Top-favorite William Walker finishes 6th, gapped by already 1'10" on winning time. Wang and Meiji's Sano cross the line at 1'18", while Free Agent Nathan Earle beats Nathan Haas for 9th place.
A great day for a great talent it was and we saw some close sprints. Chris Sutton remains in leading position with 24 points, while Morton jumps onto 5th in GC at least for one day.
Chris Sutton dominated the first two days, but is likely to rest on his laurels today, while other riders will try to have a shot at a victory: ProTour-invitee William Walker (Pearl Adidas, riding for Orica-Australasian) is expected to be one of the strongest, with his compatriots Simon Gerrans (Oz) and Nathan Haas (Risa) having good chances as well.
Mohammad Saufi Mat Senan (Terengganu), 
Meyin Wang, 
Junya Sano (Japan National Team) join these Aussies for today's list of favorites, while Kiwi-talent 
George Bennett may have an outside chance, too.
Tim Kennaugh
