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2004 Jayco Bay Cycling Classic
Victoria, Australia, January 7-11, 2004
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Mikkeli Godfree Diary
Cyclingnews contributor and rider in the MGZT team, Mikkeli Godfree, spends much of his year racing abroad. Like many Australian riders, he is back home at this time of year and racing in the Bay series in Victoria. He's also writing a diary while on the road, staying connected with assistance from local ISP Big Blue Internet. On day one in Hastings he survived the carnage to bring home a good result for his team and sponsors.
Saving it for Sunday
Race 4 - Saturday, January 10 - Geelong Botanic Gardens
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Well, obviously Iffy hasn't been reading my diaries (or he doesn't care) because we headed into the Geelong Botanical Gardens and to a circuit with a little lump in it which would sting the legs for sure - And never mind the hill, the bottom of the circuit had more bumps and potholes in it than anything I have raced on in my whole life, it was a real shocker, a big contrast to the smooth drag-race loop of the day before.
That aside, the pointy end of the series was being reached and while McKenzie was set to stick it to the Skilled team, Robbie McEwen was nowhere in sight: whether he was sick, wrapping his legs in cotton wool or out on the town we don't know, but the race certainly wasn't the same without him. As Robbie disappeared, however, Brownie re-appeared, and by the way he was warming up in the SBR tent he had gotten rid of his chest infection. As per usual, it would be an interesting race and a heap of people had come down to check it out.
Luckily we still hung in there with three riders on the start line because the circuit was tight and very difficult to move up on. The start was quick and for the first few laps it was a mad scrabble to get to the front. The Skilled guys were looking good as were the Bicycle Superstore guys and the SBR boys were really trying to make their presence felt too.
As for me, my day was short. I tried to go with a few things at the start but found myself slipping back bit by bit so I decided to save myself for a crack at Docklands - a course which should really suit our team. Our young gun Joel Pearson found himself in the same boat so we rolled around the course attempting to get some shameless publicity by doing wheelies up the main straight, cheered on by a keen crowd.
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Meanwhile, there was a race going on and after a few solid attempts to stay away, notably by Trent Lowe (Carnegie Caulfield CC) and Alan Iacuone (Bicycle Superstore), the race came back together. Nearing the finish, Cooke managed to get away with a small group but all were together with a lap to go before the British pocket rocket Russell Downing (700c Business Objects) hit them and looked like holding them off at the bottom corner.
However a solid lead out by series leader Matt Wilson saw three sprinters overhaul Downing at the line and it was Cooke, Aitken and McKenzie taking the podium spots. It just showed what a complete stranglehold Skilled-FDJ have on the series...in fact you might compare it to Brad McGee in the yellow jersey in the Tour de France leading out Baden in last year's tour. In any case, Cooke's hold on the race had become firm after this stage as he will start tomorrow five points up on McKenzie.
But, you can never write off McKenzie who has won this series a bundle of times. Watch out too for McEwen who may turn up with a fresh pair of legs...and I hope that you have to look out for a couple of other riders who have been saving their legs for the final day!
...goodbye Geelong!
See Full Results
Photography
Images by MGZT (Moss/Carr/Godfree)
- The MGZT-Bianchi boys get the train going off the start line.
- The Skilled boys get the race under control around the bottom corner.
- Trent Lowe (Carnegie Caulfield CC) and Alan Iacuone 'enjoyed' a decent lead in the middle section of the race.
- McKenzie (Bicycle Superstore) at the front of a strung-out field.
- Greg Henderson (SBR) looking comfortable.
- Dave McPartland (FRF couriers) puts the hammer down.
- Simon Gerrans (Carnegie Caulfield CC) leads teammate Lowe as they try to break the bunch.
- Andy Naylor (Bike Now-TAC) in the thick of the action.
- The bunch strung out around the bottom corner.
- Libonatti (Bicycle Superstore) tried a lone attack.
- McKenzie looked great as he put the power down.
- Trent Lowe was aggressive all day.
- Porshe and MG have been the lead cars for the Bay Crits, here Rene Buman pilots the Porsche.
- Baden Cooke (Skilled) was by far the strongest on the day.
- Gerrans streaks through the bottom corner.
- Karl Menzies rode well after losing some bark the day before.
- Russell Downing tried to hold off the bunch late in the race.
