The third stage of the Jayco Bay Classic ended in controversy as the breakaway managed to lap the field, causing race officials to withdraw the entire peloton according to ozcycling.com. Only 12 riders managed to finish the race and 19-year-old New Zealander Tom Scully (John Trevorrow Cycles/Chifley Hotel) won a three-man sprint for victory.
"I knew about the carnage in the race but I just kept doing what I had to do,” Scully said afterwards. “I was never confident, but you always hope you can give it a go"
"It is fantastic riding here. Aussie bike riders are the best in the world,” he added.
The decision to withdraw the peloton was felt hardest by race leader Graeme Brown (Urban). Brown – who rides for the Rabobank team in UCI classified races – showed his disgust at the decision by steering his bike towards the race director’s car and protested angrily. Brown was fined 250 Australian Dollars for “intimidatory behaviour”.
With Brown unable to defend his lead, the yellow jersey passed over to Chris Sutton (Skilled/Lowe Farms), who finished in a group of nine riders – the only others besides Scully’s group to finish. Sutton, who missed the Team Sky presentation in London today while he races, now hopes to keep his lead until the end of the race.
"I am in yellow and we are going to defend it tomorrow and I know we will,“ he said. "I am going to ride my own race but with a great team around me. They will put me up for the sprint. Cookey [Baden Cooke] has loads of experience and he will make sure everything is okay. It is just great to be riding with guys like him, Jeremy Hunt, Zak Dempster and Matty Rice."
More controversy for the women but Gilmore hangs on to lead
The women’s race also finished in a three-rider sprint, and also in some controversy. Emma Mackie (Race) was sure of having taken victory over Helen Kelly (Jayco VIS/NSWIS), but after close examination of both photo-finish cameras the win was awarded to Kelly.
"I didn't have much room in the final sprint. It was too late to go around, so I just had to take the risk and go up the side," said Kelly afterwards. "I have never won a stage, I've been on the podium but until now I have always been a workhorse for someone else.
"I have just come off a pretty big block of training, but this week has been good to get some speed back."
Rochelle Gilmore (Honda) managed to win the bunch sprint to take fourth place and retain her overall lead. While it is still mathematically possible for her to lose the race to Chloe Hosking (MB Cycles), Gilmore looks all but assured of overall victory.
Elite men’s stage 3 results
1. Tom Scully (John Trevorrow Cycles/Chifley Hotel)
2. Jack Bobridge (SASI team O’Grady)
3. Johnnie Walker (Degani Cycling Café)
4. Koen de Kort (O2 Networks)
5. Dean Windsor (Urban)
6. Chris Sutton (Skilled/Lowe Farms)
7. Greg Henderson (Mazda)
8. Matthew Goss (Degani Cycling Café)
9. Joel Pearson (Genesys Wealth Advisers)
10. Douglas Repacholi (Budget Fork Lifts)
Overall standings after stage 3
1. Chris Sutton (Skilled/Lowe Farms)