Jayco Bay Cycling Classic - NE

Geelong, Australia, January 2-6, 2009

Photography

Stage 5 - January 6: Geelong - Ritchie Boulevard - Elite men

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• Graeme Brown and Phil Liggett arrive at the Ritchie Boulevard circuit.
• Irishman Adrian Hedderman is riding his first Bay Series in the support race.
• Shaun McCarthy defended his yellow jersey on the final day.
• Matthew Benson realises he has the series leader, McCarthy on his shoulder.
• Stuart Grimsey leads the race.
• Grimsey attacked at the first sprint point and stayed away.
• Shaun McCarthy was the eventual overall winner.
• Shaun McCarthy was the eventual overall winner.
• Stuart Grimsey won the support race in the evening sun.
• Shaun McCarthy finished safely in the bunch to take overall honours in the support race.
• A beautiful backdrop and a wonderful day of sunshine provided a great final day for the Bay Series 2009.
• The men lined up in stunning evening light. Graeme Brown (Urban Hotel) took on Bernie Salzberger (Virgin Blue) and Robbie McEwen (Bike Hub).
• David Mackenzie interviewed soon-to-be-reitred Trent Wilson (Skilled) before the start. Wilson finishes his racing career after Australian Nationals this week.
• Trent Wilson (Skilled) led the race for a while.
• Cody Stevenson rides for the newly launched team Budget Forklift Trucks.
• Spectators enjoyed the racing from the vantage point of the grass bank lining Ritchie Boulevard.
• Christian House (Urban Hotel) worked to keep Graeme Brown out of trouble this week.
• Aaron Kemps (Rock Racing) rides on his own.
• Graeme Brown (Urban Hotel) was only a single point ahead of Bernie Salzberger at the beginning of the day.
• Robbie McEwen (Bike Hub) the bunch through the bottom corner.
• Brett Aitken (Savings and Loans) in the bunch.
• Trent Wilson (Skilled) went away on his own for a few laps.
• Robbie McEwen (Bike Hub) leads Bernie Sulzberger (Virgin Blue).
• Dusk falls over the Ritchie Boulevard circuit causing long shadows from the riders.
• Baden Cooke (O2 Reflections) was a solo breakaway rider who looked like he might stay away.
• Will Walker (Degani) had a strong series including a race win.
• Graeme Brown (Urban Hotel) on the bottom corner.
• Mark Renshaw (Mazda) and Brett Aitken (Savings and Loans) watch each other in the closing laps.
• Dean Windsor (Mazda) wore the sprints jersey throughout the series.
• Brett Aitken (Savings and Loans) fell with less than ten laps to go and headed straight to the pits.
• Aitken (Savings and Loans) was quickly back into the race.
• Brett Aitken (Savings and Loans) won the final race on his own.
• Robbie McEwen (Bike Hub) rolled in for third ahead of a celebrating overall winner, Graeme Brown (Urban Hotel).
• Graeme Brown (Urban Hotel) salutes the crowd as he rides a victory lap of the circuit.
• Shaun McCarthy was support race winner.
• Graeme Brown (Urban Hotel) won the 2009 Bay Classics.

Images by Brenton Logan/www.durostrada.com

• Race leader Shaun McCarthy flexes his muscles in the support men race.
• SASI rider Dale Parker crashes into the fence but got up and continued the race.
• ...but you know it still hurts once you're back in the saddle.
• An official speaks with Paul Richards (Degani) who crashed on the turn.
• Eventual winner Stuart Grimsey was away for the last 20 minutes of the race.
• Matt Goss (Skilled) corners in the final race of the series.
• Matt Wilson (O2 Reflections) on the attack early in the race.
• Matt King (Degani/CBD Cycles) looking strong on the tight circuit.
• Crashes were commonplace on this tight circuit, as this Budget Forklifts rider found out.
• Bernard Sulzberger (Virgin Blue) went on to finish third in the overall standings.
• Matt Wilson (O2 Reflections) and Johnnie Walker (Degani/CBD Cycles) on the attack.
• Graeme Brown, Joel Pearson and Robbie McEwen in action during the race.
• Matt Wilson hits the deck… an unusual technique to negotiate the corner.
• Simon Gerrans (O2 Reflections) powers out fo the troublesome corner.
• Baden Cooke (O2 Reflections) on the attack late in the race.
• Stage winner Brett Aitken (Savings & Loans) in the latter part of the race.
• A big crowd was on hand to witness the leading trio stay away from the main bunch.
• Brett Aitken was the victim of a fall late in the race but was able to resume with the leading group.
• Another crash on the bad corner with a Savings & Loans and Bike Hub rider.
• Mark Renshaw (Mazda) crashed within the last five laps and is unable to resume with the leaders.
• Brett Aitken wins from Baden Cooke in the final race of the series.

Stage 5 - January 6: Geelong - Ritchie Boulevard - Elite women

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• The MB Cycles team worked hard to keep Kirsty Broun in the race lead.
• Rachel Heal and Rebecca Domange (Degani) accelerate on the back straight.
• Kirsty Broun (MB Cycles) has worn yellow since day 2.
• Canadian Gina Grain (MB Cycles) was a super-domestique for Kirsty Broun all week.
• Peta Mullens (VIS) was aggressive again, making space between herself and the bunch.
• Lauren Kitchen (NSWIS)
• Mullens and Broun pick themselves up after their crash as Rochelle Gilmore navigates around them.
• Rochelle Gilmore (NSWIS) won the sprint jersey emphatically.
• Broun (MB Cycles) seemingly ignored her crash scars and a torn jersey and bleeding elbow to perform superbly in the final race.
• Peta Mullens (VIS) won the second sprint point with another strong solo attack.
• Emma Mackie (Pitcher Partners) was away on her own for a while.
• Josie Tomic (Plan B) finished the series more quietly than she began. But still finished second overall to Broun.
• Katerine Oshea (VIS) leads the bunch with a lap to go.
• Kirsty Broun (MB Cycles) won again and sealed the series.
• MB Cycles team owner, Marcel Bengston with series winner, Kirsty Broun.
• Rochelle Gilmore (NSWIS) won the sprints competition.
• MB Cycles was the winning team with Kirsty Broun overall winner.
• Kirsty Broun and Gina Grain (MB Cycles) pose with the trophy and bouquet after the finish.

Stage 4 - January 5: Portarlington - Elite men

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• Jacob Sutherland was unable to defend his yellow jersey today
• An early attack strung out the pace in the support race
• Sutherland attacked early on, then dropped off the pace in the closing laps
• Winner of the support race was Dale Parker, followed by Geoff Straub
• Will Walker (Degani), winner of day 3, smiles as he waits to start day 4
• Graeme Brown (Urban Hotel) wore the leader's jersey in Portarlington
• Robbie McEwen (Bike Hub) reaches for a drink during the hot, fast race
• A Budget Forklifts rider also takes a drink
• Matt Wilson (O2 Reflections) attacked and went away on his own twice in the race today
• Graeme Brown (Urban Hotels) sat in the bunch, looked after by his team-mates
• The Urban Hotel team lead the way through the first corner on the circuit
• Matt Wilson (O2 Reflections) gasps for air as he is away on his own
• Graeme Brown (Urban Hotels) takes a corner
• The Urban Hotel team looks after Graeme Brown, race leader
• Jeremy Hunt (O2 Reflections) leads team-mate, Simon Gerrans
• Graeme Brown (Urban Hotels) and Simon Gerrans (O2 Reflections) were close together most of the race
• Matt Wilson (O2 Reflections) spent a long time out on his own during his two breaks
• Eventual winner, Bernie Sulzburger (Virgin Blue) on the tough climb in Portarlington
• Graeme Brown (Urban Hotel) follows team-mate Christian House's wheel
• The Bay provided a beautiful backdrop on what was a warm, sunny day in Portarlington
• Will Walker (Degani) didn't show any fatigue after his win on day 3
• Johnny Clarke (2XU) made several attempts to get to the front of the race in the closing laps
• Rohan Dennis (Skilled) rode strongly and picked up second today
• The break prepared for the sprint, with Matt Wilson (O2 Reflections) throwing off his bidon
• Graeme Brown (Urban Hotel) and Rory Sutherland (Total Rush)
• Robbie McEwen (Bike Hub) takes a late-race drink
• Johnny Clarke (2XU) on another attempt to bridge to the front of the race
• The bunch all look at each other with a lap to go.
• Graeme Brown(Urban Hotel) has McEwen (Bike Hub) and Gerrans (O2 Reflections) on his wheel with a lap to go
• Bernie Sulzberger (Virgin Blue) declares himself the winner, with plenty of time over second-placed Rohan Dennis (Skilled)
• Robbie McEwen (Bike Hub) sprinted in just ahead of Graeme Brown (Urban Hotel)
• New race leader for the support race, Shuan McCa
• Bernie Sulzberger (Virgin Blue) salutes the crowd in Portarlington after his win
• Daniel Braunsteins (Degani) was third on day 4
• The men line up on the podium - Sulzberger, Dennis, Braunsteins, Windsor, Semmler and Brown

Images by Rick Robson/www.clearimages.com.au

• Bernard Sulzberger wanted the win badly.
• Bernard Sulzberger rides hard in the break.
• The front group went all out to keep the peloton at bay.
• Jeremy Hunt keeps in the paceline.
• Kristian House concentrated well.
• Mat Wilson out of the saddle near the sea.
• Mat Wilson was looking good but overshot the last corner.
• Matt Wilson was literally checking out the country side.
• Robbie McEwen grits his teeth.
• Stuart O'Grady had the patch kit with him.
• Sulzberger rides away from Wilson as the latter had to fight back onto the tarmac.

Images by Brenton Logan/www.durostrada.com

• The racing begins in the B grade category.
• Overnight leader Jake Sutherland takes a corner early on in the race.
• Riders attempt to avoid a fallen rider on the corner.
• Cameron Streistermanis (Duro Strada) corners with the beautiful surroundings of Portarlington in the background.
• Stuart Grimsey during his attack of the main bunch.
• Overnight leader Jake Sutherland losing contact with the main field.
• Dale Parker wins the support criterium from Geoff Straub.
• The girls of the Bay Crits get ready for the day’s activities.
• Johnnie Walker (Degani/CBD Cycles) leads the main field at the start of the Portarlington criterium.
• Bernard Sulzberger (Virgin Blue) corners early in the race.
• Leader Graeme Brown (Urban Hotel) looking strong early in the race.
• Matt Wilson (O2 Reflections) gets shot twice as he tries to escape from the peloton.
• Matt Wilson (O2 Reflections) eats during his time off the front.
• Team Urban Hotel controls the peloton for its leader Graeme Brown.
• Robbie McEwen in action during the Portarlington criterium.
• Rohan Dennis (Skilled) leads the break closely followed by eventual winner Bernard Sulzberger (Virgin Blue).
• Daniel Braunsteins (Degani/CBD Cycles) in the leading break.
• Will Walker (Degani/CBD Cycles) chases the leading group toward the end.

Stage 4 - January 5: Portarlington - Elite women

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• The first row of the startline is reflected in the sunglasses of Chloe McConville
• Liz Young (MB Cycles) and Sky-Lee Armstrong (NSW) attacked early on
• Sarah Kent and Josie Tomic (Plan B) lead through the first corner
• Nikki Butterflield (Skilled) was active again today
• Lauren Kitchen (NSWIS) has been quietly doing her job for the team this week.
• Myfanwy Galloway (Mazda) attacked and went for a solo break
• Rochelle Gilmore (NSWIS) has all but sewn up the sprinter's jersey competition
• Belinda Goss (Pitcher Partners) was agressive and well-placed for the finale, only to fall in a last-lap incident which prevented her finishing.
• Galloway (NSWIS) checks over her shoulder for competition as the lap board displays two to go in the race
• Peta Mullens (VIS) tries to go with Galloway, but was marked by Kirsty Broun (MB Cycles)
• The bunch passes through the start / finish with one lap to go
• The leaders approach the finish line on the tough uphill finish
• Kirsty Broun (MB Cycles) was a convincing winner of the Portarlington day of the Bay Series
• Kirsty Broun gives a post-race interview to David Mackenzie
• Kirsty Broun (MB Cycles) leads the women's series
• Chloe Hoskin (Mazda) on the podium
• Rochelle Gilmore (NSWIS) is the sprint competition leader
• Broun aims the spray at her MB Cycles team-mate

Stage 3 - January 4: Geelong - Eastern Park - Elite men

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• Matt Goss (Skilled) and Baden Cooke (O2 Reflections) share a joke before the start.
• Robbie McEwen (Bike Hub) leads through a corner.
• The aftermath of the crash in the men's race. Baden Cooke and Joel Pearson were involved..
• The bunch crests the climb on the way to the start / finish line.
• The bunch races along the shore road on the circuit in Geelong's Botanical Gardens.
• Dean Windsor (Mazda) retained his sprint jersey on day three.
• Trent Wilson (Skilled) leads the bunch.
• Joel Pearson (Savings and Loans) rejoined the race after the crash on the first corner.
• Daniel Braunsteins (Degani) rides in the fast lined-out bunch.
• Who's going to chase the break? The bunch didn't have much enthusiasm for bringing back the leaders.
• Will Walker (Degani) leads Dean Windsor (Mazda) during their break.
• Baden Cooke (O2 Reflections) leads in to the first corner.
• Will Walker (Degani) on his own.
• Baden Cooke (O2 Reflections), Daniel Braunsteins (Degani) and Graeme Brown (Urban Hotel).
• Will Walker (Degani), on his way to the win.
• Will Walker (Degani) leads Christian House (Urban Hotel) and Dean Winsdor (Mazda).
• Baden Cooke (O2 Reflections) marks race leader, Joel Pearson, (Savings and Loans).
• Christian House (Urban Hotel) dropped off the break to look after teammate, Graeme Brown as the race approached the finish.
• Joel Pearson (Savings and Loans) wasn't able to keep the race leader's jersey after day three.
• Bernie Sulzberger (Virgin Blue) leads Robbie McEwen (Bike Hub) on the hill.
• Brett Aitken (Savings and Loans) checks on the bunch behind.
• Will Walker (Degani) was a clear winner on day three.
• Jacob Sutherland continued to dominate the lead in the support men's race.
• Kirsty Broun (MB Cycles) retained the race lead after day three.
• The support race men in action.
• A crash on the first corner in the support race was the first of one in each race on Day three.
• Leader Jacob Sutherland corners in the sun.
• Leader, Jacob Sutherland, follows a wheel in the bunch.
• Rhys Gillett corners in the support race.
• Surrounded by yellow, but not teammates, Jacob Sutherland in the support race.
• Support race winner on Day three, Cameron Carlyle.

Stage 3 - January 4: Geelong - Eastern Park - Elite women

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• Sky-Lee Armstrong (NSWIS) leads Megan Dunn early in the race.
• Sarah Kent (Plan B) leads Rochelle Gilmore (NSWIS).
• Rowena Fry (TIS) in the bunch.
• Amy Halliahan takes the first corner on the circuit in Geelong's Botanical Gardens.
• Peta Mullens (VIS) broke away on her own early in the women's race.
• Kirsty Broun (MB Cycles) was race leader again on Day three.
• Broun at the front, powering up the climb, ahead of Jenny Macpherson (G Force).
• Belinda Goss (Pitcher Partners) tried to bridge across to Peta Mullens.
• Megan Dunn (NSWIS) hits the street furniture as Gina Grain (MB Cycles) flies into the air and Jenny Macpherson (G Force) takes avoiding action.
• Gina Grain (MB Cycles) hits the ground next to Dunn (NSWIS). Remarkably, Jenny Macpherson (G Force) managed to stay upright. Grain was unhurt, Dunn suffered a suspected broken clavicle and Kate Finegan was taken to hospital with back injuries.
• After the re-start, Kirsty Broun (MB Cycles) was marked by Rochelle Gilmore (NSWIS) on her wheel.
• Broun (MB Cycles) leads Gilmore (NSWIS) and the bunch.
• Belinda Goss (Pitcher Partners) leads her team in the bunch.
• Nikki Butterfield (Skilled) tried her luck solo.
• Josie Tomic (Plan B) was quiet and sat in the bunch during race three.
• Belinda Goss (Pitcher Partners) corners at speed.
• Josie Tomic (Plan B) leads the bunch through the start / finish line in the closing laps.
• Peta Mullens (VIS).
• Rowena Fry (TIS) couldn't quite believe her win ahead of Mullens and Broun.

Stage 2 - January 3: Geelong - Eastern Park - Elite men

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• Damien Turner, away on his own in the support race.
• Turner's team-mates, including race leader, Jacob Sutherland controlled the front of the race whilst Turner was away.
• The bunch strings out due to the increased pace of the closing laps.
• The effort of the pace shows as riders in the support race vie for position at the front.
• Jacob Sutherland sat comfortably in the bunch as the race entered the closing stages.
• Peter Loft, on his own, with less than 5km to go.
• The bell lap, two km to go, for the support men.
• Winner of the support race – Matthew Benson.
• Josie Tomic waits to start the second day of the Bay Series as race leader.
• Simon Gerrans (O2 Reflections), race leader and Bernie Sulzberger (Virgin Blue) , Australian criterium Champion chat before the start.
• Robbie McEwen (Bike Hub) lines up next to Mark Renshaw (Mazda).
• Sulzberger (Virgin Blue) rides in the bunch early in the race.
• The men pass under the Jayco start/finish banner in the early part of the race.
• Simon Gerrans (O2 Relfections) in the bunch.
• An acceleration at the front caused reactions from the bunch.
• Matt Wilson (O2 Reflections) sitting in the bunch.
• Leigh Howard (VIS) is a Geelong local.
• Johnny Clarke (2XU) took the lead for a lap or so.
• Stuart O'Grady (Skilled) follows Rory Sutherland (TotalRush).
• A breakaway in the men's bunch left the competition leaders without representation at the front.
• Simon Gerrans (O2 Reflections) takes the initiative and chases the break himself.
• A line of four lead riders take a left-hander in the Botanical Gardens.
• Gerrans tells his team-mates that the pressure's on to bring back the leaders with only a few laps remaining.
• Matt Goss (Skilled) lifts the pace.
• Will Walker (Degani) in the bunch with two laps to go.
• The Skilled team lead-out causes the bunch to form an arrowhead with one lap to go.
• Sulzberger, McEwen, Brown and Pearson sprint for the win on day two of the Bay Series.
• Graeme Brown (Urban Hotel) gives a victory salute.
• Graeme Brown (Urban Hotel) was a happy winner of day two.
• Dean Windsor (Mazda) is sprint competition leader going into day three.
• Joel Pearson (Savings and Loans) took over the series lead after day two.

Stage 2 - January 3: Geelong - Eastern Park - Elite women

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• Peta Mullens strings out the bunch early in the women's race.
• The women on the uphill finishing straight in Geelong's Botanical Gardens.
• Sky-Lee Armstrong leads the NSWIS team at the front of the race.
• Sky-Lee Armstrong on the front of the bunch.
• Belinda Goss (Pitcher Partners) leads Nikki Butterfield through the bends at the end of the finishing straight.
• 2008 winner, Megan Dunn (NSWIS), leads 2009 leader, Josie Tomic (Plan B).
• Jessie Maclean follows a wheel in the women's bunch.
• Emma Mackie (Pitcher Partners) ahead of Josie Tomic (Plan B).
• Kirsty Broun (MB Cycles) will wear the leader's jersey on day three.
• Tomic (Plan B) working hard in the bunch.
• Jenny Macpherson (G Force) shows that she still has a lot of pace, despite retiring from international competition in 2007.
• Seven minutes of racing left, the women were all still together.
• Tomic is supported by team-mate, Sarah Kent as the pace lifts at the end of the race.
• Gina Grain (MB Cycles) rides next to team leader, Kirsty Broun in preparation for the sprint with one lap remaining.
• Josie Tomic (Plan B) enters the final lap – just two km of racing left on day two.
• The women sprint for the line. Broun (centre) and Tomic (right) contest the victory.
• Rochelle Gilmore (NSWIS) was second, Kirsty Broun (MB Cycles) took the win and Josie Tomic (Plan B) was third.
• Three women were tied on points for the series lead: Gilmore (sprint leader), Broun and Tomic.
• Kirsty Broun (MB Cycles) took over the series lead after day two.

Stage 1 - January 2: Williamstown - Elite men

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• Stuey (O'Grady) waits for Robbie (McEwen) to arrive from the airport
• There was plenty of help on hand to put McEwen's bike together on the start line
• A taxi delivered a flight-delayed Robbie McEwen to the start line
• Rahsaan Bahati (Rock Racing) corners in the bunch
• Aaron Kemps (Rock Racing) takes the roundabout safely
• Rory Sutherland (Total Rush) in the bunch
• Stuart O'Grady (Skilled) enters the start / finish straight
• Graham Brown (Urban Hotel) is a regular at Bay Series
• Stuart O'Grady and Justin Williams, a European-based pro and an American-based pro begin their seasons in Australia
• Rohan Dennis (Skilled) hit the deck, but got up to finish in the bunch
• Newly-crowned Australian criterium Champion, Bernie Sulzberger shows off his Champion's jersey
• Johnny Clarke (2XU) accelerates out of a corner
• Sulzberger feels the pace in the break
• Dean Windsor was looking for another Bay Series win, but it didn't happen today
• Brown (Urban Hotel) looks comfortable in the bunch
• Troy Clarke (2XU), elder brother and team-mate of Johnny, in the bunch
• Simon Gerrans (02 Reflections) on his 2009 Cervelo
• Joel Pearson (Savings and Loans) was in the break
• Gerrans leads his fellow breakaways up the slight climb
• Trent Wilson (Skilled) looks for help as he chases the breakaway
• Craig McCartney (Budget Forklifts), out of the saddle on the way up the hill
• Stuart O'Grady pulls on the levers as he steps on the pedals
• Man of the day, for the wrong reason. His delayed flight arrival, Robbie McEwen (Bike Hub) looked cool in the bunch despite a stressful day
• Dean Windsor (Mazda) gulps for air as he leads the break in the closing laps
• Simon Gerrans (O2 Reflections) beat Dean Windsor (Mazda) and Joel Person (Savings and Loans) in the sprint
• Winner, Simon Gerrans wipes away the effort of the day
• Simon Gerrans - Tour de France mountain stage winner, turned sprint winner at the Williamstown Bay Series race in 2009
• Gerrans celebrates his win in Williamstown
• The support race men wait to start the 20th Anniversary event of Bay Classics
• Cameron Carlyle leads team-mate Jacob Sutherland through the corner
• The support race on the infamous roundabout in picturesque Williamstown
• There is lots of pink in the Bay Series peloton in 2009
• Riders power out of the corner leading to the finishing straight
• The breakaway riders in the support race enter the closing laps
• A spirited attempt by Dale Parker to bridge across to the leaders was not successful
• The break had plenty of time over the chasers with 1 to go in the support race
• Jacob Sutherland wins the support race sprint from Cameron Carlyle and Shaun McCarthy

Images by Brenton Logan

• A big crowd was on hand to witness the day's racing
• Joel Pearson (Savings & Loans / Four Points) was in an aggressive mood from the start
• Dean Windsor (Mazda) & Bernard Sulzberger (Virgin Blue) ensuring the break stays away
• Jeremy Hunt (O2 Reflections group) looking strong in the main field
• Darren Lapthorne (Urban Hotel) in the main field
• A lone Budger Forklifts rider attempts to escape the peleton
• Nic Sanderson (Rock Racing) looking resplendid in his new racing colours
• Eventual winner Simon Gerrans (O2 Reflections group) & Dean Windsor (Mazda) in the break of the day
• Simon Gerrans (O2 Reflections group) drives the break towards the finish
• The peloton chasing hard towards the end of the race
• Bernard Sulzberger (Virgin Blue) in the break of the day
• Matt Goss (Skilled) encouraging the boys to chase harder
• Graeme Brown, Baden Cooke, Robbie McEwen, Mark Renshaw & Matt Wilson ready themselves for the sprint
• Rahsaan Bahati (Rock Racing) looking comfortable toward the finish
• Joel Pearson (Savings & Loans / Four Points) leads the break while the pressure is on from the main bunch
• Will Walker (Degani / CBD Cycles) makes a last ditch effort to bring back the leaders
• Baden Cooke & Simon Gerrans (O2 Reflections group) celebrate the win after the race

Images by Peter Feraud/www.peterferaud.com

• Robbie McEwen, resplendant in new Katusha kit was the man all eyes were on after his late arrival.
• Stuart O'Grady (Skilled) looks comfortable in the bunch on day one of the Bay Series crits.
• Simon Gerrans (O2 Reflections) corners on his way to winning stage one in Williamstown.
• Australian criterium champion, Bernard Sulzberger leads Joel Pearson during their breakaway.
• Graeme Brown (Rabobank) sits in front of Rock Racing's Nic Sanderson.
• Dean Windsor gives it everything on the front of the day's break.
• Rabobank's Graeme Brown was riding like a man who knows his future is secure, having signed an extension with Rabobank this week.
• Simon Gerrans is followed by Joel Pearson, Bernard Sulzberger and Dean Windsor in the break.
• The day's break stayed away and the finale was fought out between Gerrans, Pearson, Sulzberger and Windsor.
• Simon Gerrans took the win ahead of his breakaway companions.
• The leader's jersey fits Tomic well after she won in Williamstown.
• Simon Gerrans raises the roof as he slips into the leader's jersey.

Stage 1 - January 2: Williamstown - Elite women

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• Newly-crowned Australian Criterium Champion, Kirsty Broun smiles before the women's race
• Rochelle Gilmore gives a pre-race TV interview
• Megan Dunn looks pensive as she waits to begin the defense of her title
• Belinda Goss can be expected to perform in the 2009 Bay Series
• The women pass under the start / finish banner
• Tiffany Cromwell was active before she made her break later in the race
• Lauren Kitchen corners in the women's race
• Eventual winner, Josie Tomic bides her time in the bunch
• Racing took place in hot, sunny conditions, despite a downpour just before the racing started
• Josie Tomic is perhaps better known as a track rider. This is only her second Bay Series.
• Tiffany Cromwell made a late race breakaway
• Cromwell on the attack
• Sky-Lee Armstrong has won in Williamstown before and is part of a strong NSWIS team at Bay Series in 2009
• Rochelle Gilmore is looking for sprint points and wins at Bay Series
• Tomic makes the acceleration which becomes the race winning break
• Tomic with a lap to go
• Tomic savours the win
• A la the Australian criterium Championships, Gilmore and Broun go head-to head This time, Gilmore was fastest and took second
• Rochelle Gilmore (NSWIS) pulls on the sprint leader jersey
• Kirsty Broun (L) and Rochelle Gilmore (R) watch as Josie Tomic opens the bottle of fizz on the podium