The Bay Cycling Classic kicks off with a flat criterium on Ritchie Boulevard in Geelong. One of the most beautiful places at "The Bay", the race will be worth an unofficial season opener to the ManGame.
Defending Bay champion Leigh Howard won't be at the start this year, so other Aussies like Michael Matthews (Compal), Damion Drapac (Pat's Veg), Steele Von Hoff (Oz) or Cameron Meyer (Chain Reaction) will aim for a prestigious overall victory. 2013 champion Chris Sutton (Compal) is more likely to be Matthew's leadout.
International sprinters like Sam Bennett (Ireland, tied 2nd last year), Matt Rowe (cycleYorkshire) or Azizulhasni Awang (Sauber) may be amongst the favorites as well.
A few early attempts to go clear were just short-live, but a group of 4 riders finally establishes a notable gap with still more than half of the stage to go:
Downey (Ireland), Lloyd (African Wildlife), Hampton (cycleYork) and Bevin (NZL)!
Lloyd continuing his aggressive racing from last year, where he collected valuable points in the flat crits..
The peloton though would not let allow a bigger gap and keeps the breakaway's gap at about 50" for the next laps. Halfway through the race, more and more riders try to bridge across the leading four:
David/Gough (Scotty Browns) as the most notable names, though struggling to shake off the chasing bunch!
It's pretty much the same picture with now just three laps (20km) to go: the early break has been caught thanks to the higher pace back in the peloton, but no more attackers managed to open up another gap so far.
A group of 7 riders goes again now, with names like Bayly (Pat's Veg), Yates (GBR), Dyball (African) or Zhang (China) as the most aggressive yet. Also Gough on the move again, so he's obviously not counting on a bunch sprint today.
Also Bibby (GBR) tried to attack the field in the final lap(s), but as empty-handed as this attempt by the attacking group with Bayly/Yates!
We're already inside the final 3km now and the peloton - led by cycleYorkshire (Rowe) and Compal (Matthews) - looks in control here.
Wurf (Chain Reaction) with a late attempt, but no chance!
The sprinters are lining up for the finish and Compal is going strong with Sutton/Matthews!
Meyer, Bennett, Von Hoff, Docker and Giacoppo right behind Matthews.
Rowe's train suffering a bit, which Drapac won't like to see..
..and indeed: despite taking care of the pace in the final laps, cycleYorkshire more or less fails hard in this bunch sprint. Six other names challenge for line honours in a thrilling finish:
Bennett with a slight advantage over Von Hoff and Meyer, with Matthews leaving Sutton's slipstream and Docker fighting on the left side of the wide road!
Bennett holds on to his advantage and takes line honours ahead of Oz's Von Hoff (best single result for his team at the Bay so far) and Docker! So the Irish sprinter takes his second Bay-victory after his line honours in Williamstown last year.
Matthews and Meyer completing the Top-5 ahead of Drapac, a disappointed Rowe, Sutton, Meenhorst and Horton.
Bennet at the top of a Bay-podium again. A (good) sign of what to expect from him this season? Last year, he delivered a pretty decent season after a nice performance at the Bay Classic.
Sam Bennett
Steele Von Hoff
Matt Rowe
Alex Meenhorst
