2012 Jayco Bay Cycling Classic

On Monday I braved 40 degree heat to make the long trek down the highway to Geelong to check out stage 2 of the 2012 Jayco Bay Cycling Classic.

Run over 4 stages/days, this event grows in popularity each year and is seen as a major tune up for the Tour Down Under and Australian Road Cycling Championships held in January of each year.

Matthew Keenan, Phil Liggett & David McKenzie call the action

A couple of nice BAUMs on display

In addition to the Elite Men's Race featuring some of Australia's best professional cycling talent; the Jayco Bay Cycling Classic features Elite Womens, Under 17s, Individual and Teams Support races.

Action in the men's support race

Jake Sutherland on the gas for Total Rush/Hyster

GreenEDGE Cycling were making their professional racing debut in this event fielding riders such as Matthew Goss, Robbie McEwen, Baden Cooke, Leigh Howard, Wes Sulzberger and Allan Davis (some of which who were racing for Mitchelton Wines/Lowe Farms).

GreenEDGE command centre

Baden Cooke

GreenEDGE Scott Foil

Robbie McEwen

Also racing for local trade teams were Heinrich Haussler and Nathan Haas of Garmin Cervelo, Greg Henderson of Lotto-Ridley and Chris Sutton of Sky Procycling.

Nathan Haas

A very quick Sky rider

Squint your eyes, you can just see Heinrich in the middle of the pack

On the day the Elite Men's race was won by Caleb Ewan, with the overall General Classification being held by Allan Davis. The Elite Women's race was won by Loren Rowney, making it two wins from two starts for Total Rush/Hyster. The overall Women's General Classification was retain by Chloe Hosking (also of Total Rush/Hyster).

Loren Rowney sprints to victory for Total Rush/Hyster

Total Rush tent city

Team Cubes on display

What an awesome way to spend and unbelievably hot day. Apart from the great racing; the real highlight may have been the frozen Coke I picked up for the journey back up the highway.

Is that the 2011 Tour de France Champion?

~VL