Elvin wins cycling series

Gracie Elvin finished fifth at the last round of the Bay Classic series to confirm she had won the overall title for the first time.

Gracie Elvin wanted to just play her team role and keep low profile at the Bay Classic cycling series.

Winning race one blew that plan out of the water.

The Australian Orica-AIS rider retained the overall leader's yellow jersey throughout the next three races, winning the series for the first time.

It leaves no doubts about Elvin's form ahead of the Australian road race championships next Sunday - a title she has won twice.

"I actually wanted to stay a little bit under the radar this week and just riding around for form," she said.

"But I think I have a big target on my back.

"I'm really looking forward to the road race at the nationals - it's going to be a great one, especially with the live coverage."

Elvin finished fifth on Monday at Williamstown to end the series with 38 points, six clear of teammate Lizzie Williams and Italian Valentina Scandolara.

Williams first broke away with Dane Julie Leth and then went clear by herself to win the last round.

"You can just tell if you're going to have a good day and I'm like 'well, I'm going to go full-gas and see what happens'," Williams said.

"And it worked."

Scandolara beat Elvin in the sprint for fourth, but the Italian only gained one point on the Australian.

For the Italian to win the series, she had to win at Williamstown and hope Elvin finished out of the top five.

"We were all riding so strong and that wasn't going to happen," Williams said.

"We were really going for the stage win today."

Orica-AIS were strong throughout the women's series and will be tough to beat at the nationals road race in Buninyong, near Ballarat.

"I want to ride really well at the nationals road race, so it's definitely good signs," Williams said.

"We have a few options, so we'll use the numbers to our advantage.

"We just want to take the jersey to Europe - it doesn't really matter who."


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Source: AAP



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