Strong field for Jayco Bay Classic

The 20th Jayco Bay Cycling Classic will present a strong field ofcurrent Australian US and European champions when it begins in theMelbourne bayside suburb of Williamstown on Friday 2 January 2009.

The Criterium series continues each day in different locations on theBellarine Peninsula, finishing at Geelong’s Eastern Beach in theevening of Tuesday 6 January.

The five-race-in-five-days series is regarded as one of the toughestCriterium series in the world and is a great way for riders to preparefor the coming pro-cycling season in Australia and Europe.

A record entry of 16 teams of men and 11 teams of women make up thebest collection of Australian cyclists ever seen racing in Victoria.

Among the men’s team entries is a full team from the USA glamourpro-cycling team Rock Racing, which is sending the current USACriterium Champion Raahsan Bahati and the current USA Junior CriteriumChampion Justin Williams. Bahati and Williams will be joined byAustralian veterans Robbie McEwen and Stuart O'Grady as well as 2008Tour de France stage winner Simon Gerrans.

The European contingent will include Englishmen Kristian House and Jeremy Hunt as well as American Jonas Carney.

The womens field will see current and two-time Australian National Criterium Champion Kirsty Broun and defending series champion Megan Dunne at the start line.