Ewan, Elvin extend cycling leads

Caleb Ewan and Gracie Elvin have extended their leads in the Bay Classic cycling series, despite missing out in windy conditions at Portarlington.

Ewan has an 11-point lead and will win the Mitchelton criterium series for the third time after Monday's last round at Williamstown.

Likewise, Elvin extended her advantage to seven points and only a disaster will stop her winning the women's crown for the first time.

The series wins will represent a perfect start to the year for top Australian team Orica-GreenEDGE, with Elvin part of their Orica-AIS women's squad.

Ballarat rider Pat Shaw was rewarded for outstanding form in the first two races when he won Sunday's round three on the tough Portarlington circuit.

Ewan finished fourth and Elvin was relegated to second thanks to a daring move on the last corner by Italian Valentina Scandolara, Elvin's former teammate, who sprinted to the race-three win.

Shaw finished third in race one behind Ewan and then tried to foil Orica-GreenEDGE's domination with a solo breakaway in round two.

Ewan eventually won race two as well, but Shaw's form and the hard work by his Avanti teammates has earned them kudos.

Shaw said their strong form had boosted team morale ahead of this week's national road titles in Ballarat.

"Orica-GreenEDGE is one of the best teams in the world and they came up to us today and said 'you guys are the only team that worries us'," Shaw said.

"That gave us confidence.

"We're going into the national championships and we believe we can do it."

Shaw won the final sprint after unsuccessful solo breaks by teammate Chris Hamilton and Miles Scotson.

Orica-GreenEDGE rider Luke Durbridge, who has won twice at Portarlington, also tried to go off the front without success.

"Obviously it didn't go to plan because we didn't win, but the boys are riding really strong," Ewan said.

"'Durbo' was riding really strong, but it was hard for him to move because of how windy it was.

"Obviously it ended up coming back for a sprint and I just found myself a little bit too far back."

Earlier on Sunday, the women's race came down to Scandolara, Elvin and fellow Orica-AIS rider Sarah Roy.

Scandolara, now leading the Ale Cycling team, was the risk taker of the trio on the dangerous last corner and that gave her the race win.

"'Vale' dive-bombed me and I just wasn't ready to kill myself today," Elvin said.

Elvin has a win and two second placings in the series.

Kimberley Wells, who won race two, only trailed Elvin by two points going into Sunday's round.

But she lost touch with the leaders during the race and finished seventh, putting her out of contention.

Peta Mullens rode impressively for fourth place, showing she has strong form ahead of defending the national road race title next Sunday.