Bay Classic: Caleb Ewan and Gracie Elvin tame savage conditions at Geelong criterium

AUSTRALIAN cyclists Caleb Ewan and Gracie Elvin scored convincing wins in brutal conditions at race two of the Bay Classic criterium series in Geelong.

Caleb Ewan (Orica Green Edge) crosses the line first after a hot and windy stage two of the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic at Eastern Park. Picture: Leanne Kelly

AUSTRALIAN cycling champions Caleb Ewan and Gracie Elvin scored convincing wins in brutal conditions at race two of the Bay Classic criterium series in Geelong.

Ewan followed up his win in the opening round by making the most of perfect teamwork from Orica-GreenEDGE.

After several riders attacked in the hope of putting the 20-year-old out of contention, GreenEDGE had the race under control by the last lap.

Ewan easily won the sprint finish, with teammate Mitch Docker finishing second.

The temperature was in the high 30s and wind gusts on Saturday afternoon at Geelong’s Eastern Gardens hit more than 60km/h. For safety reasons, Mitchelton Classic organisers decided against any placing sponsorship signs on the race barricades and no marquees were set up on the race site.

Grace Elvin (Orica-AIS) broke away to convincingly win stage two of the Bay Cycling Classic.

Elvin also showed she is in great form ahead of next week’s Australian road championships.

She made a solo break before the halfway mark and was never challenged. The two-time defending Australian road champion led by as much as a minute and 38 seconds.

Orica-AIS teammate Loes Gunnewijk eventually won the sprint for second, 1:31 behind Elvin.

Race 1 winner Chloe Hosking finished third to retain her series lead on 20 points, while Elvin is three behind.

Ewan leads the four-race men’s series with 24 points, 11 clear of New Zealander Greg Henderson.

The series continues on Sunday at coastal Portarlington near Geelong, with conditions expected to be much cooler.