Citroen Bay Crits: Brenton Jones reveals text from Blake Quick ahead of final race

Brenton Jones has revealed a text exchange between himself and last year’s champion, who sacrificed a chance of back-to-back titles to help the retiring great get one more win.

Bay Crits day 3 Mens Elite. Brenton Jones, today winner and over all winner.

RETIRING cyclist Brenton Jones has revealed the text message exchange between himself and defending champion Blake Quick ahead of the Citroen Bay Crits.

Jones claimed two stage victories and the overall win on a countback at the Geelong event, earning a “fairytale” finish to his professional career.

He said a text chain with Quick in the lead into his final series made him “immensely proud”.

“I got a text from Blake, he said to me ‘I’ve spoken to the boys and we’re all in for your last race in respect for what you’ve done for all of us, we appreciate what you’ve passed on and we want to give you the best chance of a win’,” he said.

Brenton Jones won two of the three Bay Crits stages. Picture: Alan Barber

“I said to Blake that I was happy to ride for him to get him the title again, and he said he was happy to do it for me and my last race.

“I didn’t have goosebumps but I was really proud of the young man he’s become, to do what he’s done now and to be riding the world tour is amazing, he told me the other day he’s going to the Giro d’Italia, I’m incredibly proud of what he’s done.

“To have all these boys, including Luke Plapp who is a current national champion, to ride for me in a stage like today, I’m speechless, I can’t thank the guys enough.

“Everyone committed 110 per cent and I just finished it off for them, I can’t thank them enough.”

Citroen Bay Crits 2023 Mens Elite winner Brenton Jones with nephew Archer Jones, 3. Picture: Mike Dugdale

Jones edged out stage two winner Graeme Frislie for the overall title after the pair finished on equal points, but the countback was in the retiring cyclist’s favour.

Jones said he could not have challenged without the help of his team at Bayside Citroen.

“You see how much cycling is a team sport these days, if you’re not in there helping the riders and they’re not helping you, you’re not going to be anywhere,” he said.

Blake Quick won the Bay Crits in 2022, but helped his retiring teammate win in 2023. Picture: Mike Dugdale

“You need the team to help drive the peloton, get you in a good position, you can’t do it on your own anymore, cycling is such a team sport.”

Meanwhile, Matilda Raynolds claimed the third stage of the elite women’s category in a tight sprint for the finish line of the hot dog circuit.

Raynolds said she was excited to “finally” win a stage.

“I’ve had more seconds than dinners in racing,” she said.

“Anyone who knows me and has raced with me knows how close I’ve come so many times.

“I was close yesterday but I burnt too many matches, and Ruby just said ‘back yourself, back yourself’.

“I’m usually racing against Ruby and Georgia (Baker) and it was a great experience to race with them this series.”

Ruby Roseman-Gannon won the overall series for a second consecutive year.

Originally published as Citroen Bay Crits: Brenton Jones reveals text from Blake Quick ahead of final race