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Brown wraps up Jayco Bay

by VeloNews.com

• January 06, 2009
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By Benjamin Fitzmaurice

Brown fought to stay in yellow

Photo: Benjamin Fitzmaurice

Graeme Brown of Rabobank held off challenges from Robbie McEwen (Team Katuysha), Simon Gerrans (Cervelo Test) and Bernie Sulzberger (Virgin Blue) to win the 2009 Jayco Bay Cycling Classic on Tuesday.

Brown led the Classic going into the penultimate stage by the barest margin of one point.

“Being a sprinter I have to hope it comes down to a sprint,” McEwen said before the final stage. “It will be a tactical battle. Brownie has a one point lead to defend over Bernie Sulzberger, three points to me and Simon Gerrans is also within striking distance. It is up to Brownie to control the race and not let those guys get away. In the end I have to rely on the sprint, win the race and hope Brownie finishes in third place or worse to be able to make up the deficit. It is a pretty big task.”

McEwen’s assessment was right, as Brown and teammates Darren Lapthorne and Kristian House (Rapha Condor) covered all of the moves from the contenders for the yellow jersey. The stage was set against an ocean backdrop with a tight hotdog course. The natural banks rising from the waters edge acted as a natural theatre for the battle that was to commence.

Matt Wilson (Team Type 1) was again on the attack after his two explosive efforts during stage 4 of the Classic.

“The legs felt pretty good at training this morning,” Wilson said at the start. “I generally get better as this series goes on. I am pretty confident I will be right. On this circuit it matters how you hit the corners. Some years I have gone around the corners beautifully, it has gone fantastic and other years I can’t get around to save my life.”

Wilson made two valiant breaks during stage 5 which were ultimately pulled back by riders jumping across the gap from the main bunch. Trent Wilson (Jittery Joe’s) also attacked the bunch staying out on his own for a few laps but the bunch was relentless and Brown’s team stayed on the front controlling proceedings.

Baden Cooke (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) risked everything by jumping the field late in the race. The strain of the effort was evident on his face. Brett Aitkin (Savings & Loans), the Madison Gold Medalist in the 200 Olympics, and Mark Renshaw (Team Columbia) joined Cooke in the break away. In the final laps of the event Renshaw lost his front wheel and was sent crashing into the barriers.

Stage 5 winner Brett Aitkin from Savings & Loans

Photo: Benjamin Fitzmaurice

The pair, Cooke and Aitkin, stayed away and the crowds were treated to a cat and mouse track duel. The track cycling-like duel suited Aitkin who took the win ahead of Cooke on the line.

“It’s such a nice race to win,” Aitkin said with a grin. “It’s such a prestigious one the last one. I like this circuit, it really suits me with a good long sprint. I’m going to be 38 this month, I’m doing about three hours a week training: it’s great to beat a couple of pro’s out there.”

After the stage the primary yellow jersey contender, Sulzberger, said: “The odds were against me. The course is more suited to Graeme [Brown] as it is flat and tight. I had a few digs out there and I did my best and that is all I can do … [On this course] it is always stop-start, you have to sprint out of the corners all the time with your heart very high.”

Photo Gallery

Results

1. Brett Aitken, Savings & Loans
2. Baden Cooke, O2 Reflections Group
3. Robbie McEwen, Bike Hub/Ridley
4. Graeme Brown, Urban Hotel
5. Joel Pearson, Savings & Loans
6. Jeremy Hunt, O2 Reflections Group
7. Jono Cantwell, Virgin Blue
8. James Langedyk, Jayco VIS
9. Dean Windsor, Mazda
10. Bernie Sulzberger, Virgin Blue


Final overall standings
1. Graeme Brown, Urban Hotel, 33 pts
2. Robbie McEwen, Bike Hub/Ridley, 31 pts
3. Bernie Sulzberger, Virgin Blue, 26 pts
4. Joel Pearson, Savings & Loans, 24 pts
5. Dean Windsor, Mazda, 23 pts
6. Simon Gerrans, O2 Reflections Group, 22 pts
7. Baden Cooke, O2 Reflections Group, 20 pts
8. Will Walker, Degani/CBD, 17 pts
9. Daniel Braunsteins, Degani/CBD, 16 pts
10. Jono Cantwell, Virgin Blue, 15 pts