SKILLED BAY CYCLING CLASSIC 2001 JANUARY 3RD - 7TH 2001
WELCOME TO THE 2001 SKILLED INTERNATIONAL SERIES
On behalf of Flying Start Cycling and all our race sponsors welcome to the official website for the 2001 Skilled Bay Cycling Classic the race that sets the pace for a summer of exciting cycling action right here in Australia. Once again cycling fans will be able to dine out on a smorgasbord of world class cycling in a tradition that started in 1989. For the first time cycling fans all over the world will be able to access race reports, results, photos and interviews through the world wide web. Each day, all the information will be posted by 6:00PM - EDST (18:00) so that no matter where you are in the world you will be kept right up to date.
The Skilled Bay Cycling Classic and the Skilled Melbourne Sorrento Cup will feature most of Australia’s best cyclists head to head against some tough talent from overseas in what will undoubtably be the most exciting racing ever seen in this country. The Skilled Bay Cycling Classic offers spectators the opportunity to be right there trackside to witness the speed and fast attacking style of riders as they battle for honours over five days of criterium racing.
The big names on the menu are almost too many to list but here are a few, starting with our own aussie cycling heroes who have taken the world of international cycling by storm. Heading the list is the current Australian Criterium Champion, 2000 and 1998 Bay Series winner and Sydney Gold Medallist Brett Aitken renowned for his attacking, aggressive riding style and an abillity to unleash a huge turn of speed in a sprint finsh. He will be joined by Tour de France star and yellow jersey holder Stuart O’Grady, Tour de France stage winner Robbie McEwen Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Jay Sweet plus Scott Sunderland who finished 7th in this years world road title, David McKenzie stage winner in The Tour of Italy, Australian Road champ and USA Team Mercury rider Jamie Drew and mountain bike superstar Cadel Evans. While 1999 World Cup winner Anna Wilson will be the main course in the women’s events.
There is also a host of internationals led by Tour de France Stage Winner Magnus Backstedt from Sweden, Great Britain's Olympian Jeremy Hunt, Dutch Olympians Jens Mouris and Jorne Videler, Jorg Schreiderbauer from Germany, Michael Tillman USA and Swiss rider Jacques Jolidon.
The Skilled Bay Cycling Classic and the Skilled Melbourne Sorrento Cup showcase two very different styles of racing. The Skilled Bay Classic is a five day criterium series which is held around small closed circuits of approximately 800 metres. These races last for about an hour and are very fast and spectacular whereas the Skilled Melbourne Sorrento Cup is more the traditional road race. This event is much more gruelling and you will see the riders battling it out for about four hours. Last January’s inaugural event was a ripper. The course is world class and the picturesque postcard views provide a magnificent backdrop for the international television distribution to 300 million viewers.
It will be hard to top the first event but hopefully the $1000 prize to the top of the first climb at Olivers Hill will again see the race split apart. I doubt that the race will re-produce the spectacular finish that resulted in a dead-heat between Stuart O’Grady and Jamie Drew.
I know that I am looking forward to a thrilling summer of cycling. Only a few years ago it was only a dream that Aussie fans could watch some of the world’s best cyclists right here in our own back yard. Now for residents of Victoria and South Australia it is here. For the rest of you it is not too far to travel so get on your bike. For those unable to see the action live
John Trevorrow....Race Director
RACE PAGES for all the results/race reports/photos from the 2001 Skilled Bay Cycling Classic ENTER HERE
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