the skilled bay cycling classic 2001 race4.htm

SKILLED BAY CYCLING CLASSIC 2001

JANUARY 3RD - 7TH 2001
GEELONG
ROBBIE TAKES A REST There was an air of expectation at Geelong today as the penultimate stage of the Skilled Bay Cycling Classic was run. Would Robbie make it four in a row or would the bunch attack him on the short 500 metre beachfront circuit. At the end of 61 minutes we would all have the answer but between the start and finish of the race there would be plenty of hard racing and fierce hanging on for those who were hanging on to the tail of a vicious serpent as it snaked its way relentlessly around the course. For even the race hardened internationals it would become a torid experience as the pace being set in pursuit of the escapees who were determined to hold off a shattered pack in the last few laps of the race. The pressure on McEwen was showing as he put in some big efforts to close the gap but it was all to no avail. The fate of the main bunch was sealed when Balance-Vic rider Kristjan Snorrason jumped free and settled down to a hard chase in a solo attempt to join the five out front who had a solid 250 metres lead on the peleton. Snorrason put in a magnificent effort to bridge the gap and after a laps rest was on the front grinding away, keeping the pressure on the bunch. Left with five a few laps later but all working together, his contribution sealed the fate of the hapless riders who now had no hope of pulling the beakaway back. in the end it was the west aussie Scott Suckling who would win stage 4 and break McEwens stranglehold on victories in the race. Congratulations to Fitzroy Cycles who had three riders placed in the top 10 today. Nothing else changed in the positions for the major jerseys. McEwen has the yellow and Brett Dawson the Sprint. With just one round left to contest all eyes will be on McEwen to see if he can win another final days racing, this time at Crown Casino.

WOMENS EVENT BRIDGET KEEPS YELLOW No changes in the yellow or green jersey today but racing was pretty entertaining with a breakaway of two riders staying clear to battle out stage honours. Naomi Williams & Hayley Rutherford staged a major breakaway after an exciting attack from Jeanette Shwarz which had the crowd around the tight and fast circuit encouraging her to stay clear. Unfortunately her enthusiastic response of pushing herself to the limits came unstuck at the end of the finishing straight as she crashed heavily into the barriers. With a lap out she was back in the race but had lost her momentum. Finally after the breakaway came try as they may the main bunch could not pull back the escapees. With Williams and Rutherford taking the major points for the day, Rochelle Gilmore by taking third spot has ensured an exciting finish at the Crown Casino. With just three points between Evans, Wilson and Gilmore the stage is set for the closest of finishes.

RACE RESULTS

MEN
1 Scott Sucling
2 Matt Wilson
3 Jens Mouris
4 Kristjan Snorrason
5 Cameron Jennings
6 Andrew Torney
7 Graeme Brown
8 Robbie McEwen
9 Jorne Videler
10 Steve Williams

WOMEN
1 Naomi Williams
2 Hayley Rutherford
3 Rochelle Gilmore
4 Anna Wilson
5 Bridget Evans
6 Susanne Jolidon
7 Katrina Purcell
8 Katie Mactier
9 Olivia Gollan
10 Lyndelle Higginson

SUPPORT RACE Jeff Hopkins continued his domination of the support race series with another great victory on the 500 metre course at Geelong foreshore. The talented young rider used his strength and skills to control the race to perfection throughout. Once again the riders were twitchy and eager to put the hammer down and get racing. The course was particularly cruel to those who lacked speed and fitness as rider after rider either withdrew or was lapped out. The race was marred by a spectacular crash at the very last corner but Hopkins managed to escape the carnage to cruise across the line untroubled with a fourth straight victory.

1 Jeff Hopkins
2 Mark Walch
3 David Betts
4 Herbert Donovan
5 Craig Gordon
6 David Pell
7 Paul Kenny
8 Joel Leonard
9 Liam Kelly
10 Robert Reid

pre-race tension in "B" grade