Report – Lawless 5th at Bay Crits

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Winner at Barrow in the Pearl Izumi Tour Series, Chris Lawless was 5th in the first of the 2016 Bay Crits

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Report – Lawless 5th at Bay Crits

2015 Vuelta a Espana stage winner Caleb Ewan is off to a flying start to 2016, taking out the opening criterium at the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic with a bold early move on the Geelong hotdog circuit.

21-year-old Ewan was pleased to produce in the final, despite not having pinned on a number since September, and was quick to praise his sole teammate in Haig. “This was my first race in four months,” Ewan said. “I think it’s one of the hardest races to start with – one hour full gas.”

“It’s a massive relief. I didn’t know what my form was going to be like, especially in a short race like this. I haven’t done an hour-long race since this time last year. It was nice coming here and winning again. But more impressive today was Jack’s performance. He’s a climber, and unfortunately, we had a broken bike for Alex (Edmondson) so he couldn’t start, but Jack did an awesome job… I’m so impressed with him.”

The elite men’s race started with no incident although the intensity saw a big split in the group after six minutes of racing. With 15 minutes remaining a crash depleted the field and just 14 riders remained in contention for the first honours of the season. As Ewan’s teammate Haig dropped off the front with a lap remaining, Ewan sat in fifth wheel into the second last corner behind a well-positioned Drapac Professional Cycling Team.

With experience in his favour, Ewan, a two-time and reigning Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic champion, made his move early down the back straight to lead into the final corner and hold on for victory by four bike lengths.

Chris Lawless was 5th and Ali Slater 17th.

In the Women’s race, ORICA-AIS kicked off the success with two-time Australian champion Gracie Elvin the surprise winner of a bunch sprint finish ahead of teammate Lizzie Williams who made it a one-two result for the outfit.

Result
1. Caleb Ewan (Orica GreenEDGE) 59:02
2. Brenton Jones (Drapac Professional)
3. Patrick Shaw (Avanti IsoWhey Sports)
4. Luke Parker (State of Matter/Maap)
5. Christopher LAWLESS (JLT Condor Mavic)

17. 38 Alistair SLATER (JLT Condor Mavic) @ 26 secs

DNF
Steele VON HOFF (Avanti IsoWhey Sports)
Jonathan MOULD (JLT Condor Mavic)
George ATKINS (JLT Condor Mavic)
Alex Frame (JLT Condor Mavic)
Steven LAMPIER (JLT Condor Mavic)
Mike CUMMING (State of Matter/Maap)

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