Caleb Ewan headlines star studded Blackburn Bay Crits line-up

Aussie sprint superstar Caleb Ewan will use the revamped Lexus of Blackburn Bay Crits to make his highly-anticipated debut with new team, Lotto-Soudal.

ATTENTION REECE HOMFRAY - CALEB EWAN CYCLING - Tour Down Under - Stage 4 - Norwood to Uraidla. Picture Sarah Reed

Aussie sprint superstar Caleb Ewan will use the revamped Lexus of Blackburn Bay Crits to make his highly-anticipated debut with new team, Lotto-Soudal.

The world’s fastest criterium series returns next month after a one-year hiatus, with its 30th anniversary attracting a glut of World Tour riders with a need for speed.

Ewan, who in August confirmed he was leaving Australian team Mitchelton-Scott after a 28-win, four-year stint, has his target set on the January 1-3 series in Geelong and Williamstown in a huge coup for race director John Trevorrow.

Caleb Ewan prepares for action ahead of a stage in the Tour Down Under. Picture: Sarah Reed

“Caleb is coming back. We were going to drip feed this to you, but what the heck, I’m excited,” Trevorrow beamed at yesterday’s launch.

Three-time Bay Crits winner Ewan’s appearance with Lotto-Soudal puts him on a collision course with compatriot Brenton Jones - the 2014 winner who helped set up the Bay Crits race barriers as a cycling-mad kid.

The pair were set to fight for overall victory in the most recent edition in 2017 before Ewan’s stage one crash took them both out of contention.

Absolutely thrilled to announce I will be joining @lotto_soudal in 2019! It’s a big step in my career and a privilege to join such a respected team. With @lotto_soudal’s history and experience in sprinting I hope to further develop as a rider! Bring on the new season👊👊👊👊 pic.twitter.com/7U6QtYP8ni

— Caleb Ewan (@CalebEwan) August 8, 2018

“It’s really special to be back … racing against some of the world’s best. Not only for me, but the up and coming riders and everyone who wants to race against the best,” Jones said.

“I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running on January 1, hopefully avoid Caleb taking me out again and put the hands up again on Ritchie Boulevard.”

Jones will ride for a specially-formed All-Star team alongside Mitchelton-Scott powerhouse Luke Durbridge, Robbie Hucker, Sam Crome and Raph Freinstein.

Ironically, Durbridge, who has spent many races working on the front for Ewan, will now be plotting his demise.

“I’ll say, ‘Durbo’, get on the front, control it and I’ll finish it off’,” Jones joked.

“To have someone with that experience, power, strength and skill is going to be fantastic.”

Sarah Gigante and Brenton Jones at the launch of the Blackburn Bay Crits.

Jones said “for sure” Ewan was beatable, but the famous field means that pair will have more to worry about than just each other.

Nathan Haas will lead Russian unit Katusha-Alpecin, while Tour de France stage winner Heinrich Haussler, Aussie fast man Jay McCarthy, former national champion Miles Scotson and Zak Dempster are all confirmed starters.

“To have that many guys come here and be so keen to race, they’re not coming here for a holiday, they’re here to start their season so it’s going to be exciting,” Jones said.

The women’s field is also stocked, with Amanda Spratt, Chloe Hosking and defending champ Valentina Scandolara locked in, while Aussie prodigy Sarah Gigante will race.

Some of the superstars of Australian cycling have cut their teeth in the Bay Crits, with Cadel Evans, Stuart O’Grady, Robbie McEwen, Kathy Watt and Anna Wilson among the event’s alumni.

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Originally published as Caleb Ewan headlines star studded Blackburn Bay Crits line-up