2008 Bay Series is coming!

It’s going to be a cycling extravaganza! The Jayco Bay Cycling Classic, the world’s fastest criterium series, is back for its 19th year.

Also on Sunday will be the third edition of Amy’s Ride. This wonderful recreational cycling challenge will again give thousands of cycling fans the unique opportunity to ride along with the star of the Jayco Bay Classic as well as raise funds for the Amy Gillett Foundation. It’s not a race but a fun ride where you get to rub shoulders with the stars. (check out www.amysride.com )

And the stars will be out to shine in the Jayco Bay Cycling Classic. Most of Australia’s best road sprinters will be there. Baden Cooke is in form and looking forward to showing off his National Criterium jersey. Stuart O’Grady will be out to show he’s fully recovered from his terrible Tour de France crash and in Paris Roubaix winning form. Put them up against quality sprinters such as Allan Davis, Defending champ Mark Renshaw, Graeme Brown, US No 1 Rory Sutherland, Hilton Clarke, Brett Aitken, Brett Lancaster, Aaron Kemps, Henk Vogels, and you have one heck of a bike race. Then, just to top it all off, throw in a few road specialists who are pretty handy crit riders such as, Simon Gerrans, Matt  Wilson and Will Walker along with some star internationals led by classy road sprinter Jeremy Hunt.

Tour de France star, Cadel Evans will be the official host and be there to mingle with some of his many fans. Cadel will also be doing some commentary with “the voice of cycling” Phil Liggett and Australia’s legendary Phil Anderson.

The international women's event has evolved into a brilliant series over the past decade and a record 10 teams will line up in Williamstown. And the field can’t get much better than this. Defending champion and World Champion Kate Bates, former winner Rochelle Gilmore, Olympic Road Race Gold Medallist Sara Carrigan and former world number one Oenone Wood as well as US criterium star Liz Hatch.

The men’s support event has become a fantastic race over recent years with the young stars of the future rivalling the speeds of the international race. Many say it is harder to win the support race in the bay series than most A Grade events around the country. 

Criterium (street circuit) racing is one of the most exciting sports to watch, either live or on television. Colour, speed, thrills and spills guarantee an exciting action packed day. When you add into the mix some of the world's best cyclists then you are guaranteed a spectacular event.

Jayco, Australia's leading caravan manufacturer will again present a world class field in the five-day Jayco Bay Cycling Classic starting in Williamstown on Wednesday January 2.

Then it’s on to Portarlington January 3 and Geelong waterfront Friday evening January 4. Beautiful Eastern Park will play host to the final “weekend in the park”. It will be a carnival atmosphere with plenty of fun and entertainment including the “pub in the park”. Saturday January 5 will see a new circuit being used with the grand finale on Sunday January 6, after the completion of Amy’s Ride.   

How It Works

The Elite men and women’s events are contested by teams and prizes are awarded for the three best teams overall. Points gained by the top three riders in each team are added together each day. The team with the most points at the end of day five is the winner. 

However, the individual award is the most prestigious. Each day the first 10 cyclists receive points awarded for their finishing position: 12 for first then 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. The leading rider on points wears the Yellow Jersey and the rider with the most points at the end of the final race is the series winner.

In addition there is the Sprint Ace Award with 3, 2 and 1 points awarded for the intermediate sprints each day that go towards the overall sprint ranking. The leading Sprint Ace wears the green jersey.