Roseman-Gannon and Quick double up on day 2 of the Bay Crits

Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Lexus of Blackburn/BikeExchange-Jayco) and Blake Quick (Inform TMX Make) have again taken stage honours on day 2 of the Bay Crits, with both riders winning the overall title in the process.

In the elite women’s race, Catalina Soto (Lexus of Blackburn) and Eloise Sandow (Inform TMX Make) were the first to get clear of the bunch in the hour-long criterium around Geelong’s Eastern Beach. The pair built a lead of roughly 50 seconds after 20 minutes of racing but 10 minutes later they were caught.

The next move proved to be the winning one. Roseman-Gannon and Matilda Raynolds (Inform TMX Make) surged clear of the field and would ultimately lead all the way to the finish. Raynolds led out the final sprint, but was easily overhauled by Roseman-Gannon.

A few moments later Grace Brown (Lexus of Blackburn/FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope) crossed the line in third having soloed clear of a chasing group.

Several breakaway groups animated the elite men’s race with Adam Blazevic (Giant Racing), Sean Whitfield (Oliver’s Racing), and Aidan Buttigieg (Nero Continental) the first to get away after roughly 15 minutes of racing. When they were caught, Bentley Niquet-Olden (Oliver’s Racing) set sail but he was soon out of the race after crashing hard on a left-hand corner while leading solo.

Liam White (Oliver’s Racing) and Dalton Stretton led for much of the back half of the race but that move, too, would ultimately be caught. A last-ditch solo attack from Simon Clarke was neutralised in the final lap ahead of what would ultimately be a bunch sprint.

Wearing the yellow jersey of series leader Quick led through the final corner and held an advantage all the way to the line. Jensen Plowright (Lexus of Blackburn) took second while Brenton Jones (Inform TMX Make) rounded out the podium.

The Australian summer of cycling continues next week with the Australian Road Nationals in Ballarat.