The Bay Classic Series (currently running as the Lexus of Blackburn Bay Crits) is a road cycling race held annually in and around Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, Australia. The race consists of both a men's and a women's competition over three stages.
The men's stages are approximately one-hour criteriums (45 minutes plus 10 laps) with three sprints at 15-minute intervals. The women's stages are approximately 45-minute criteriums (30 minutes plus 10 laps) with two sprints at 15-minute intervals. Points are awarded to the first 10 riders at the finish (12, 10, 8 to 1). Additional points are awarded in the intermediate sprints to the first three places (3, 2 & 1 points) towards a separate sprint classification. A team classification is calculated from the points of the highest ranked three riders in each team of five.
The series was not held in 2018 due to a clash with the dates of the Australian National Road Championships.[1] The event returned in 2019 with three stages held in Geelong and Williamstown.
Many world-class riders have previously ridden in the "Bay Classic Series", including Graeme Brown, Robbie McEwen, Mark Renshaw, Baden Cooke and Chris Sutton.
The event was founded by John Trevorrow in 1989 and is the current race director.[2]
In December 2020 it was announced the 2021 event would not proceed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[3]
Past winners
| Year | Men's Winner | Women's Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 [3] | Not held | |
| 2020 | .svg.png){kind=small} Sam Welsford | Chloe Hosking |
| 2019 |  Marco Haller |  Valentina Scandolara |
| 2018 [1] | Not held | |
| 2017 [4] |  Ian Bibby | Valentina Scandolara |
| 2016 | Caleb Ewan | Gracie Elvin |
| 2015 | Caleb Ewan | Chloe Hosking |
| 2014 | Brenton Jones | Giorgia Bronzini |
| 2013 | Caleb Ewan | Melissa Hoskins |
| 2012 | Allan Davis | Melissa Hoskins |
| 2011 | Matthew Goss | Rochelle Gilmore |
| 2010 | Chris Sutton | Rochelle Gilmore |
| 2009 | Graeme Brown | Kirsty Broun |
| 2008 | Mark Renshaw | Megan Dunn |
| 2007 | Mark Renshaw | Katherine Bates |
| 2006 | Hilton Clarke | Katie Mactier |
| 2005 | Robbie McEwen | Oenone Wood |
| 2004 | Baden Cooke | Oenone Wood |
| 2003 | Robbie McEwen | Kate Bates |
| 2002 | Robbie McEwen | Rochelle Gilmore |
| 2001 | Robbie McEwen | Anna Milward |
| 2000 | Brett Aitken | Karen Barrow |
| 1999 | Robbie McEwen | Anna Wilson |
| 1998 | Brett Aitken | Anna Wilson |
| 1997 | Robbie McEwen | Sandra Smith |
| 1996 | David McKenzie | Anna Wilson |
| 1995 | Neil Stephens | Kathy Watt |
| 1994 | Rick McCaig | Kathy Watt |
| 1993 | Peter Attard | |
| 1992 | Glenn Clarke | |
| 1990 | Glenn Clarke | |
| 1989 |  Peter Steiger | |
Past Results
External links
References
- ^ a b "Geelong-based Bay Cycling Classic cancelled for 2018". Geelong Advertiser. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
- ^ "Bay Crits only a week away". Surf Coast Times. 25 December 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ a b "2021 Lexus Of Blackburn Bay Crits another casualty of COVID-19". Lexus of Blackburn Bay Crits. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ^ "Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic 2017: Results & News - Cyclingnews.com". cyclingnews.com. Retrieved 3 January 2017.