Australian cyclist Caleb Ewan named best criterium rider in the world
YOUNG cyclist Caleb Ewan is on track to eventually take over legend Robbie McEwen as Australia’s greatest ever criterium rider after being named the best in the world.
Cycling
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CALEB Ewan was hailed as the best criterium rider in the world after the remarkable New South Wales sprinter pocketed a third Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic.
Notching his 10th stage win in the series, Ewan sits only behind six-time series winner Robbie McEwen, who won a record 17 stages in the season pipe-opener.
At 21, Ewan is on track to eventually overtake McEwen as race director John Trevorrow acclaimed the powerhouse speedster.
“Robbie McEwen was the best criterium rider in the world,” Trevorrow said.
“Caleb Ewan is now the best criterium in the world.
“He’s not at Robbie’s level yet, but he’s so good and he’s still got so much scope to improve. He could be anything.”
Ewan has contested five Mitchelton series, winning three times and finishing second overall twice.
Holding an almost unassailable 11-point buffer going into the final round at Williamstown, Ewan needed to finish in the top nine to guarantee a third overall triumph.
Expertly shepherded by Luke Durbridge, Jack Haig, Alex Edmondson and Mitch Docker, Ewan barrelled into the final turn to take the lead before holding off Brenton Jones (Drapac).
Edmondson capped a fine series with third place.
Ewan will contest the criterium and road race at the Australian Championships at Ballarat this week, confident of another strong showing.
“Obviously getting a few wins at the start of the season gives you massive amount of confidence,” Ewan said.
“I feel good. My form is coming up really good and I feel like I can sprint quite well as well so that gives me a whole lot of confidence.
“It’s always gonna be tough, it depends on the weather as well and we’ve got ‘Gerro’ (Simon Gerrans) there and other good guys, so there’s not much pressure on me.
“I’ll just do my thing and see if I can get around.
“It’s hard to tell at the start of the year but, usually if I’ve done well at the Bay Crits, it sets you up for a pretty good year.
“I’m hoping that’s the case.”
Marked heavily by 2014 champion Jones, Ewan made his move on the final lap before securing a 13-point series triumph.
Apart from a touch of mid-race contact, Ewan’s only moment of concern came on the last turn.
“I thought I braked enough going into it but, going through it, I thought ‘Oh, gosh, I might be going too fast’,” he said.
“But I got around it all right and I got a little gap coming out of it and it’s not far from there to the finish.
“You really have to go through it in first place to win it.
“The boys were so strong, they rode the whole race on the front and obviously putting me up near the front makes it so easier for me.
“At the end of the race, I was feeling so good because of the position I was in.
“They delivered me perfectly.
“Pretty much Luke and Jack rode at the front for the whole race and even at the end, they were able to pick it up.”
Bendigo’s Robbie Hucker (Avanti IsoWhey Sports) won the sprint category.
STAGE RESULTS
1. Caleb Ewan (Orica-GreenEDGE)
2. Brenton Jones (Drapac)
3 Alex Edmondson (Orica-GreenEDGE)
OVERALL STANDINGS
43 Caleb Ewan ORICA-GreenEDGE)
30 Brenton Jones (Drapac)
27 Pat Shaw (Avanti IsoWhey)
16 Sam Spokes (Drapac)
16 Leigh Howard (Chain Reaction Cycles)
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