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Jayco Bay Cycling Classic - NE
Geelong, Australia, January 4-8, 2006
McEwen and Wood headline 2006 Jayco Bay Cycling Classic
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Robbie McEwen and Oenone Wood will be out to defend their respective titles when the 2006 Jayco Bay Cycling Classic kicks off on January 4 in Williamstown. A world class field will contest the five-day criterium series, with Robbie McEwen trying to do a Lance Armstrong and take out win number seven. Of course Baden Cooke reckons he can do something about that and repeat his win of 2004.
Kiwi Greg Henderson will be back and looking to improve on his sprint series and stage win of a couple of years back. With other serious contenders in Mark Renshaw, Simon Gerrans, Brett Lancaster and Hilton Clarke, the Jayco Bay Classic looks set to live up to its reputation as the fastest criterium series in the world.
The women's event has evolved into a brilliant series over the past decade, will be a teams event again. The international women's event will feature Dual World Cup Champion Oenone Wood, Olympic Road Race Gold Medallist Sara Carrigan and Olympic Pursuit Silver Medallist and World Champion Katie Mactier. Wood, the defending champion, had a great year and she will start favourite. But she will have plenty of stiff opposition. Other riders to put up their hands to challenge are Rochelle Gilmore, 2003 winner Kate Bates, Belinda Goss and 2004 runner up Hayley Brown. One of the highlights of the series will be the expected return of Kate Nichols and Alexis Rhodes.
The Friday evening event on Geelong's magnificent will also be the Australian Criterium Championship for men and women. The men's support event has become a fantastic race over recent years with the young stars of the future rivaling the speeds of the international race. Many say it is harder to win the support race in the bay series than most A Grade events around the country.
The circuits are the same as last January with Williamstown Wednesday Jan 4, Portarlington Thursday Jan 5, Ritchie Blvd Fri evening Jan 6, Geelong Botanic Gardens evening Jan 7 and Melbourne Docklands Sunday Jan 8.
A new innovation this year is a public participation event which will give thousands of cycling fans the unique opportunity to ride with the stars of the Jayco Bay Classic.
The event will be held in Geelong on Saturday January 7 starting at 9.30 am and is called Amy's Ride. All sponsorship dollars raised and $10 from each entry will go towards the Amy Gillett Foundation. For more information go to www.amysride.com.au
There is also a grand Gala Dinner at the Melbourne Sofitel on Jan 8. This night is also the Victorian Cycling Hall of fame awards night and is hosted by Phil Liggett and Rob Gaylard. It gives another opportunity to mingle with the elite of the cycling world. Tickets are just $100 per person all inclusive, and can be obtained by calling John Trevorrow on 61 (0) 3 5278 8088 or 61 (0) 418577769, or Bree Trevorrow 61 (0) 3 5278 8088.
