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Jayco Bay Series Classics

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Kirsty Broun (MB Cycles) found her way round the bottom bend on the approach to the finish in first place after a touch of wheels disrupted the last 500m. Broun maintained her speed to ensure that she was the victor on the climb to the finish at the tough Portarlington circuit. Chloe Hoskins (Mazda) finished second ahead of Nikki Butterfield (Skilled).  

Portarlington is probably the toughest of the criterium circuits and race 4 received the best weather conditions of the week so far. It was warm and a slight breeze meant the riders were kept a little cooler than the spectators. The circuit runs right along the beach and the main street of Portarlington and was leg sapping race and it wasn’t long before there was a split in the race.

Peta Mullens (Jayco VIS) powered up the hill to the start/finish line at the front of the bunch, closely marked by Josie Tomic (Plan B), the two riders were very close at the top of the overall rankings so it was clear that neither would get too far away from each other. Close behind was the tenacious Broun.

After only 5 minutes of racing, Jessica Griffiths (Mazda) saw an opportunity and attacked. Tiffany Cromwell (Skilled) quickly closed it down and the race came back together. As the bunch slowed, Tahlia Paskin attacked. She managed to gain a small advantage before Sky-Lee Armstrong (NSWIS) chased her down. As the bunch approached the start/finish line, the whistle was sounded for the first sprint. As they approached the end of the lap, it was Paskin away on the front again by a small margin to take the maximum points. Rochelle Gilmore (NSWIS) took second and cemented her position as the leader of the sprint jersey. Lauren Kitchen (NSWIS) who was the winner of the sprint jersey in 2008 took third.

The bunch slowed after the sprint which provided an opportunity for Myfanwy Galloway (Mazda) to attack. She gained a 17 second advantage over the bunch, who, were strung out behind her. At the front of the chase was Jenny MacPherson (GForce/Body Torque). Gina Grain (MB Cycles), took over from MacPherson in the chase and the gap closed to 10 seconds. Mullens again moved to the front to try to help in closing the gap to Galloway .

With 20 minutes of racing remaining, the bunch, were back together. The intensive pace of the race had however split the bunch. As they crossed the start/finish line, Nikki Butterfield (Skilled) attacked and she was closely marked by Grain. Kitchen joined Butterfield at the front of the bunch and the pair managed to gain a small gap on the chasers. At the second sprint, Kitchen led Butterfield across the line. They had a small advantage over the bunch, who was led by Broun. Broun secured the one point for third.

With only 6 laps remaining in the race, the incredible pace had left only 10 riders in contention for the top places. This group included Broun, Tomic, Mullens, Chloe Hoskins (Mazda), Goss Butterfield, Amy Cure (Pitcher Partners), Kitchen and Katherine O’Shea (Jayco VIS). Goss attacked on the hill at the back of the course and was alone ahead of the bunch. With 5 to go however she was caught and the bunch were all back together, with the chasing bunch 200m behind. Just after two to go was announced, Cromwell launched an attack. She was followed by Kitchen and Broun. As they approached the bell they were back together again.

On the climb at the back of the circuit, Butterfield was at the head of the race and her pace was high. Broun was on her wheel followed by Goss. Butterfield slowed and moved to the right, realising that she had not managed to get away and Broun slow too and followed Butterfield to the right too. This caught Goss off guard and a touch of Broun’s wheel saw her hit the ground hard. The main bunch was split and the delay of the crash allowed a couple of the back group into the top 10.

Hoskins went around the crash with Broun and Butterfield with her. The three riders, Broun, Hoskins and Butterfield were away to the finish, leaving Tomic and Mullens to chase the minor places.

Kirsty Broun (MB Cycles) could not have been happier with her own and her teams performance again. “The plan was to defend the jersey today and my team did not let me down. It was a tough day with the hill on the back of the circuit and one up to the finish. It was a pitty about the crash at the end there though. Especially as Gossy [Belinda Goss] is one of my best friends. We grew up together in Tasmania and I am very sad that she clipped my wheel. She didn’t have a chance to avoid it.” said Broun. With the final day ahead and a commanding lead, Broun added “I am happy to still be in yellow and we plan to defend it again tomorrow.”

Chloe Hoskins (Mazda) was in fifth place after race 3 and had been riding well over the first 3 days. She could not catch Broun in the sprint to the line but had a real go. Hoskins was very happy with second place as it had moved her up to third overall. “I have been consistent all week and today’s result was a reflection of that. We have a young team of girls so I am very please with the result” said Hoskins.

Nikki Butterfield (Skilled) created the break in the race and although frustrated that she had not won, she was pleased with the race. “I was a bit concerned with my form over the last couple of days and worried that I had not done enough in the lead up to nationals next week but I felt really good today and was able to recover much quicker after the attack.”

Butterfield described the last lap, “I attacked on the hill and the bunch was really strung out, but I realised that there was no chance of a win. Kirsty [Broun] was on my wheel so I moved to the right and eased up. Kirsty did the same but Belinda [Goss] was on the wrong side of Kirsty wheel I think and all I head was the crash.”

Rochelle Gilmore (NSWIS) was struggled today but was happy that she had opened up a big lead in the sprint jersey competition. Going into the final stage, Broun would have to win both sprints and Gilmore would have to miss out on points to lose the jersey. “We worked hard today it was a tough day for me. I really want to defend the green jersey, tomorrow so it will be a good race.” added Gilmore.

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