Brenton Jones wins national criterium championship at long last

AFTER going head-to-head with Caleb Ewan at the Bay Crits all week, it was a subtle hint from the pocket rocket that told Brenton Jones this might finally be his year at the national championships.

Brenton Jones reacts after winning the national criterium championship in Ballarat. Picture: Ian Wilson.

AFTER going head-to-head with Caleb Ewan at the Bay Crits all week, it was a subtle hint from the pocket rocket that told Brenton Jones this might finally be his year at the national championships.

Having finished on the podium four times with two silver and two bronze medals in the national criterium race, Jones finally cracked the top step by outsprinting Tristan Ward and Jay McCarthy in a bunch finish in Ballarat last night.

Ewan, the reigning three-time champion, was a late scratching from the field while he focuses on Sunday’s road race at Buninyong.

“I saw Caleb last night after dropping off his suitcase from taking it from Williamstown and he said ‘good luck tomorrow night mate’ and I think that gave me the heads up that he wasn’t going to be here,” Jones said.

“I just raced it like every other race, you’ve got to be here to win it and Caleb wasn’t here tonight focusing on Sunday’s race which is fair enough, he wants the green and gold for the road race.

“He has a chance to do that, a better chance than I have, so for him to concentrate on that is probably a smart move after racing head to head with me at the Bay Crits it was a vicious series.”

The 27-year-old said it was a dream to have finally won the title and he would likely sleep in his new jersey to celebrate.

After standing on the podium four times, Jones finally reached the top step. Picture: Ian Wilson.

“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet, I don’t think it will until I sit down and see the green and gold jersey in my bedroom.

“A lot of hard work and perseverance has gone in over the years to get to the top step, it’s been a challenge but to finally get there is a massive reward for everyone who has supported me along the way.

“And it’s a pat on the back to myself for persevering and not letting people distract me from never trying to get to the top step.”

It was a reward for years of perseverance for Jones, who rides for French team Delko Marseille Provence and still harbours ambitions of racing at the top level.

“I’m 27 and still chasing that WorldTour contract and I hope to have that in 2020, that’s my goal, and I think this year has started off quite well and a result like this will give me confidence for the rest of the season,” he said.

“I’m happy to be in a French team that gives me great opportunity overseas and does force me to work hard for it, so hopefully if I do one day make it to the top level it becomes much easier to do the harder work at that level.

“I would love to race the Sun Tour with the national team that would be great preparation for Oman which is my first race with Delco this year, then after that I’ll come back for a wedding then go to France and hopefully set eyes on Roubaix.”

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Originally published as Brenton Jones wins national criterium championship at long last