Time for the final round of the Bay Cycling Classic 2015: Williamstown, a panflat criterium, made for the sprinters.
It's an all-open GC with several riders still with a shot at the overall victory. Docker (14pts), Matthews (13) and Bennett/Von Hoff (12) as the most promising thanks to their advantage over Drapac (9) or Meyer (6). We've already seen one breakaway victory as well, so we can't count guys like Sisira/Edmondson (12) or Hepburn (10) off.
Several early attempts to break clear were brought back by the bunch, as we saw some dangerous riders on the move in the first laps.
Lane (Pat's Veg) though managed to stay clear with the halftime now reached, leading solo by 32" only..
So anything but a comfortable gap and it's no surprise to see him caught just a few minutes later, where a group of 8 riders attacks the peloton:
Dyball (African Wildlife), Bibby (GBR), Gough (Scotty Browns) and Hatanaka (JPN) as the most notable names! A dangerous group for sure..
Obviously too dangerous for the sprinter teams, which kept controlling the race and pulled this group back quickly.
Already into the final lap, Wurf (Chain Reaction) gave it a late solo-attempt, but he's just a second ahead of the bunch, when the sprint kicks off!
Empty-handed effort by Wurf and so we will see the top-sprinters battling for line honours. It's of course all about the overall victory as well now:
Meyer (6 pts)
Drapac (9)
Matthews (13)
right at the front with less than a kilometre to go!
S Bennett (12)
Von Hoff (12)
Docker (14)
Rowe (4)
a few metres behind.. so Matthews on the way to both line honours and the GC? Still a way to go!
The situation is pretty much the same with line approaching though: Meyer/Drapac head to head, with Matthews still fighting to go past them.
Bennett making up some ground, but out of reach for the victory. GC-leader Docker will only fight for a Top-5, it seems. Which could still be enough!
In a close finish, Cam Meyer finally takes out his first Bay crit after two disappointing years and a quiet showing in this year's first rounds, too! Drapac 2nd ahead of Matthews!
Bennett lunged in for 4th, while Docker sprinted for 5th ahead of Rowe, Von Hoff, Meenhorst, Sutton and Archbold.. this will be a close decision for the overall victory..
It's Michael Matthews, who wins the Bay Cycling Classic 2015, though missing out on a single victory! 21 points for Risa's former sprinter, which is just one point ahead of Risa's new sprinter Mitch Docker, who finishes as runner-up in the GC. So Risa once again beating Oz Cycling at least.
Bennett with another strong showing at the Bay, finishing as 3rd ahead of Drapac and Meyer. Oz Cycling's Von Hoff 6th eventually, which is still far better than last year's showing here. Sri Lanka's Sisira and Edmondson with a shared 7th thanks to their victories, with Haas and Hepburn completing the Top-10.
We hope you enjoyed this pre season event, which was once again won by an Aussie, as Matthews follows on Leigh Howard and Chris Sutton.
Cameron Meyer
Sam Bennett
Matt Rowe
Alex Meenhorst
Asela Sisira
