The Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic - the Bay Crits - has announced the most international line up of riders in the Australian women’s event’s 21-year history. The four-day series of criteriums, based on the port city of Geelong, Victoria, looks likely to have its first-ever non-Australian winner, as two-time World champion Giorgia Bronzini (Wiggle Honda) takes the start.
In the absence of 2013 winner Melissa Hoskins, Orica-AIS’ Nettie Edmondson will have the honour of starting with the number one on her back. The Australian team will also include Dutch powerhouse Loes Gunnewijk, Australians Amanda Spratt and Jessie MacLean, and will give a debut to Italian Valentina Scandolara. Orica-AIS’ Gracie Elvin, Carlee Taylor and Shara Gillow will also line up as part of the Jayco National Team.
Most eyes, however, will be on Wiggle Honda’s Bronzini, who took the first of her rainbow jerseys in Geelong in 2010. The black and orange team will also see Swedish champion Emilia Fahlin in action for the first time, as well as German Charlotte Becker, Australian 2013 Bay Crits runner-up Peta Mullens and New Zealander Linda Villumsen. The team’s manager, three-time Bay Classics winner Rochelle Gilmore will also line up as an individual rider, while German Anna-Bianca Schnitzmeier will be part of the Dhb Dream Team.
The line up’s international flavour also sees Italian Barbara Guarischi, and Briton Emma Trott line up for Dhb, while Briton Lucy Martin will be part of the Roxsolt team, along with Hitec Products Australians Chloe Hosking and Lauren Kitchen.
“The reputation of the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic continues to grow and the quality of the women’s racing in the last couple of years has been very exciting to the point where I would say it matched the guys,” said race director John Trevorrow. “To be able to support women’s cycling in Australia is really great and I am so excited to have so many wonderful teams, including Wiggle Honda, Specialized / Securitor, Liv/Giant, Orica-AIS and the Dhb Dream Team.
“And to have Vanderkitten from America, who specifically asked to come down and race the event, is really exciting and a testament to what we have achieved over the past few years,” Trevorrow added.
Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic
Stages
Stage 1: January 2nd - Ritchie Boulevard, Geelong
Stage 2: January 3rd - Eastern Park, Geelong
Stage 3: January 4th - Portarlington
Stage 4: January 5th - Williamstown
Start List
Orica-AIS
1. Annette Edmondson (SA)
2. Loes Gunnewijk (NED)
3. Amanda Spratt (NSW)
4. Jessie MacLean (ACT)
5. Valentina Scandolara (ITA)
Liv/Giant Breast Cancer Network Australia
6. Nicole Whitburn (VIC)
7. Jenny Macpherson (VIC)
8. Nicole Moerig (NSW)
9. Naomi Williams (VIC)
10. Carly Williams (VIC)
Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
11. Giorgia Bronzini (ITA)
12. Charlotte Becker (GER)
13. Emilia Fahlin (SWE)
14. Peta Mullens (VIC)
15.Linda Villumsen (NZL)
Dhb Dream Team
16. Barbara Guarschi (ITA)
17. Emma Trott (GBR)
18. Anna Schnitzmeier (GER)
19. Joanne Tralaggan (NSW)
20. Jessica Mundy (SA)
Jayco National Team
21. Carlee Taylor (SA)
22. Gracie Elvin (ACT)
23. Shara Gillow (QLD)
24. Emily Roper (QLD)
25. Louisa Lobigs (NSW)
Vanderkitten
26. Sophie Williamson (NZL)
27. Kate Chilcott (NZL)
28. Miranda Griffiths (VIC)
29. Jeannie Kuhajek (USA)
Roxsolt
31. Lisa Antil (NSW)
32. Chloe Hosking (VIC)
33. Lauren Kitchen (NSW)
34. Sarah Roy (NSW)
35. Lucy Martin (GBR)
Bicycle Superstore
36. Brittany Lindores (QLD)
37. Carley McKay (VIC)
38. Clare Dallat (VIC)
39. Kristy Glover (VIC)
40. Rebecca Heath (VIC)
Specialized / Securitor
41. Amy Bradley (VIC)
42. Kate Finegan (VIC)
43. Lizzie Williams (NSW)
44. Loren Rowney (QLD)
45. Tiffany Cromwell (SA)
Total Rush Hyster
46. Beth Duryea (VIC)
47. Emma Viotto (ACT)
48. Chloe McIntosh (VIC)
49. Chloe Baggs (VIC)
50. Penny Brown (VIC)
Individuals
51. Melinda Bernecker (USA)
52. Claire Trembath (NSW)
53. Angela Smith
54. Julia Kalotas (WA)
55. Marissa Madden (NSW)
56. Megan Bagworth (ACT)
57. Tegan Elferkh (ACT)
58. Lauretta Hanson (VIC)
59. Nina Greig-Towers (VIC)
60. Jessica Allen (VIC)
61. Tessa Fabry (VIC)
62. Rochelle Gilmore (NSW)
63. Joanne Hogan (VIC)
64. Lisa Jacobs (VIC)
65. Sophie Mackay (NSW)
66. Shannon Malseed (VIC)
67. Chloe McConville (VIC)
68. Lucy Coldwell (VIC)
69. Lee Jer Ling Serene (SIN)
70. Elizabeth Doueal (VIC)
71. Samantha De Riter (VIC)