Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic victory puts unwanted target on Gracie Elvin

ELATED at winning the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic, Gracie Elvin concedes her cover has been blown ahead of this week’s national championships.

Gracie Elvin on her way to winning the overall event for elite women during the criterium, stage 4 of the 2016 Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic on Monday, January 4, 2016, in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia. Picture: Hamish Blair

ELATED at achieving career ambition with Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic victory, Gracie Elvin concedes her cover has been blown ahead of this week’s national championships in Ballarat.

Elvin, 34, claimed overall success in the four-race series by finishing a distant fifth to Orica-AIS teammate Lizzie Williams.

Holding a seven-point lead over to closest rival Valentina Scandolara (Ale Cycling) heading into battle on the 900m Williamstown circuit, Elvin was well protected in the bunch as she marked the Italian.

By finishing only one place behind Scandolara in fifth, Elvin not only succeeded Chloe Hosking as event champion but underlined claims to the Australian crown around Mount Buninyong on the weekend.

“I actually wanted to stay a little bit the radar this week and ride into form,” Elvin said.

“I think I’ve got a big target on my back but I’m really looking forward to the nationals.

“It’s going to be a great race.”

The Victorian overcame pre-race nerves to notch a significant triumph.

“I was really nervous today, I had the shakes but I think that was because of all the coffee I was drinking,” she said.

“We had strong riders all this week and it’s great to get this result.

“It was awesome to get another teammate up there for the win.

“Our goal for the whole series was stage wins, not the overall so to take away the yellow jersey is a massive bonus for us.

“I’m pretty proud of myself and the team.

“It’s something I wanted to do in my career — but probably not this year.

“To have done it now, I’ve set myself up for the rest of the year with lots of confidence.”

Williams delivered Orica-AIS’s second stage win for the series with daring tactics, teaming with Denmark’s world track champion Julie Leth to have the stage to themselves.

Williams initiated the attack only 15 minutes into the 45-minute contest and the pair built a maximum lead of 43 secs before Japan’s Kajihara Yumi attempted to bridge.

When Leth wilted with four laps to race, Williams seized the chance to steam clear before winning by 14 secs from Leth with Yumi at 56 secs.

“It was great to get the overall win (for Elvin) and my first win of the season,” Williams said.

“I had an opportunist role today. We were fine for it to come down to a sprint.

“We were going to lead-out for Sarah Roy with Gracie Elvin to be up there.

“But I also had the opportunity to take a chance and I was feeling good.

“I was looking at my watts on the rollers and you can just tell if you’re going to have a good day and I’m like ‘’I’m gonna go and I’m gonna go full gas and see what happens.’

“It worked.”

Stage results

1 Lizzie Williams ((Orica-AIS)

2 Julie Leth (Ale Cycling)

3 Kajihara Yumi (Novotel Geelong/Japan)

Overall standings

38 — Gracie Elvin (Orica-AIS)

32 — Lizzie Williams ((Orica-AIS)

32 — Valentina Scandolara (Ale Cycling)

26 — Sarah Roy (Orica-AIS)

24 — Kimberley Wells (High5Dream Team)