Durbridge takes first-ever Bay Crits win for Orica GreenEdge

Luke Durbridge scored the win that Orica GreenEdge had been craving for two years, having spent the majority of the Portarlington criterium at the head of the race. Durbridge was dominant over the one-hour event to claim the team's first ever win at the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic.

The reigning Australian Time Trial Champion soloed away from breakaway companions Kristian House (Rapha Condor / JLT) and James Oram (Gray's Online / New Zealand) just ahead of the bell lap and maintaining his advantage, giving Durbridge time to celebrate as he crossed the finish line.

"I don't get to win too many bunch races, it's more time trials and you can't really come across the line doing that unless you're Cancellara so I was pretty happy," the 21-year-old explained. "It's emotional with all the crowd here; it's nice."

Champion in 2012, Allan Davis wasn't selected for the GreenEdge outfit last year and instead headed up the composite team Mitchelton Wineries – Lowe Farms.

Overnight leader Caleb Ewan (Bikebug) finished in sixth place, third in the bunch kick, enough to secure him the yellow jersey for the second day running with the series to conclude on Thursday in Williamstown, where he claimed his second win of the 2012 event.

A group of nine riders, including sprint leader Greg Henderson (Degani Bakery Cafe), House, Mike Northey (Gray's Online / New Zealand), Ewan and Durbridge set the agenda early in the race. Kiwi Northey looked strong and moved ahead of the breakaway group a few laps before the first sprint. The points were his and Henderson ensured he was second across the line to maintain his lead in the competition, while attempting to bridge the gap to his compatriot. The veteran was unsuccessful, but Durbridge too sensed Northey was vulnerable and made a concerted effort to catch him. Unfortunately for Northey, luck was not on his side, dropping his chain on the tough circuit's first climb, allowing Durbridge to pass him easily.

Durbridge, lean for 2013 after his first year on the road at an elite level, spent a good 15 minutes away solo despite various efforts from Henderson, Steele Von Hoff (Huon Salmon – Genesys), Ewan, Shaun McCarthy (Budget Forklifts) and Oram. The attacks meant that his advantage never went beyond 15 seconds and he conceded, for the time being, that he couldn't continue alone, swallowed by the peloton.

"I wasn't thinking about the win because I went away so early," Durbridge explained. "I just kept riding tempo because everyone was foxing with each other. Then I came back and I still had a little bit left so I thought I'd go away again."

After a small break to recover, Durbridge was back in the lead with around half of the race completed, and with House for company with nine seconds advantage over Oram who had a decent gap on the peloton. The three came together just ahead of the third sprint with Henderson holding a three-point advantage over Durbridge in the sprint classification heading into the final day.

McCarthy looked most-likely to catch the trio, getting as close as seven seconds in arrears before popping.

With three laps remaining the gap over the peloton was 15 seconds but there were questions marks over whether the group could work together to hang on. In the end, Durbridge sensed the weakness in his companions riding into the bell lap, and made the final push for the finish on his own. He was however, worried about the capabilities of House.

"He's super strong and I was a bit worried because I knew I couldn't leave it to him in a sprint – he's really fast," Durbridge said of the Brit. "He was really giving it to us on the climb so I knew he was feeling really strong and that I'd have to catch him out. I just got enough of a gap on him to hold him off."

Ewan holds a five-point lead over Durbridge, with Graeme Briggs (Great Britain) a further point behind in the overall standings with one stage left to race on Thursday. Ewan believes he's capable of a repeat performance in Williamstown in order to wear the yellow jersey from start to finish in the three-race series.

"I know how to race it pretty well so I just need to stay up in the front and hopefully I can get the stage again," he told Cyclingnews.

Another gutsy solo win for Cromwell

Tiffany Cromwell claimed her second win in Portarlington in two years, while Melissa Hoskins (Orica-AIS) all but sewed up the overall victory on Wednesday. Hoskins was second across the finish line, closely followed by Peta Mullens (Anytime Fitness Trek).

The result all but ensures Hoskins overall victory for the second successive year. On the final day, the West Australian needs to finish no worse than seventh to confirm her title.

"I've done the maths roughly," Hoskins admitted. "I needed to get more than two points on [Wells] and get a little bit of a buffer leading into tomorrow. I don't have to win tomorrow now and there's no pressure on the team either so we can play a few more cards."
Cromwell, not selected in the five-woman Orica-AIS team for the event, instead entered as an individual made the most of her freedom, moving away from the peloton on the third lap of the 45 minute criterium. Opening up a comfortable gap, Cromwell had a 21 second advantage by the time the first sprint rolled around. That put the 24-year-old on equal terms with Loes Gunnewijk for the green sprinter's jersey.

After the race, Cromwell was on the fence as to whether she felt like there was a point to prove given she was entered as an individual.

"It's always hard this time of year but ultimately I'm here to train for the Nationals," she explained. "It's a great opener to have three days of hard racing to get the intensity back. I've done a lot of work over the last two weeks after a training camp in Canberra. If you ask someone like Marv [Martin Barras] I wasn't in the best form there but I just have put my head down and dome some really good training. This just showed that I'm well on the way to another good season."

Towards the halfway mark, Cromwell's lead stretched to a maximum of 47 seconds with the peloton looking disinterested in any pursuit. That changed slightly by the second sprint, with Cromwell's advantage pegged back to 30 seconds.

It only seemed to motivate Cromwell to lift her intensity in the final stretch to the finish line, the gap back out to 35 seconds.

"It's a course I seem to like," Cromwell admitted. "It's a test of the fittest, the strongest – that climb can really take it out of your legs but I used it to my advantage."

Cromwell's time on the front earned her the green sprinter's jersey and leaves her in equal third place in the general classification, on par with race one winner, Wells. Orica-AIS leads the teams competition.

Results - Elite men

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#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Luke Durbridge (Aus) Orica GreenEdge1:01:10
2Kristian House (GBr) Rapha Condor JLT0:00:02
3James Oram (NZl) Grays OnlineRow 2 - Cell 2
4Steele Von Hoff (Aus) Huon Salmon - Genesys0:00:19
5Leigh Howard (Aus) Orica GreenEdge0:00:21
6Caleb Ewan (Aus) BikebugRow 5 - Cell 2
7Graham Briggs (GBr) Great Britain National TeamRow 6 - Cell 2
8Anthony Giacoppo (Aus) Huon Salmon - GenesysRow 7 - Cell 2
9Rico Rogers (Aus) Total Rush / Hyster RacingRow 8 - Cell 2
10Shaun Mccarthy (Aus) Team BudgetforkliftsRow 9 - Cell 2
11Joseph Lewis (Aus) GPM /Data #3Row 10 - Cell 2
12Josh Atkins (NZl) Grays OnlineRow 11 - Cell 2
13Brenton Jones (Aus) Huon Salmon - GenesysRow 12 - Cell 2
14Robbie Hucker (Aus) Drapac ProfessionalRow 13 - Cell 2
15Samuel Witmitz (Aus) Team SASIRow 14 - Cell 2
16Simon Yates (GBr) Great Britain National TeamRow 15 - Cell 2
17Alastair Slater (GBr) Great Britain National Team0:00:25
18Michael Northey (NZl) Grays OnlineRow 17 - Cell 2
19Jens Mouris (Ned) Orica GreenEdge0:00:30
20Koen De Kort (Ned) Degani Bakery Café0:00:31
21Robert-Jon Mccarthy (Aus) Team SASIRow 20 - Cell 2
22Richard Lang (Aus) BikebugRow 21 - Cell 2
23Richard Handley (GBr) Rapha Condor JLTRow 22 - Cell 2
24Stuart Grimsey (NZl) Grays OnlineRow 23 - Cell 2
25Harry Carpenter (Aus) Team SASIRow 24 - Cell 2
26James Boal (Aus) Target - Trek RacingRow 25 - Cell 2
27John Walker (Aus) Drapac ProfessionalRow 26 - Cell 2
28Aaron Buggle (GBr) Rapha Condor JLTRow 27 - Cell 2
29Vaughan Bowman (Aus) Target - Trek RacingRow 28 - Cell 2
30Greg Henderson (NZl) Degani Bakery Café0:00:36
31Blair Windsor (Aus) Team Budgetforklifts0:00:44
32Peter English (Aus) Degani Bakery Café0:00:52
33Thomas Scully (NZl) Grays OnlineRow 32 - Cell 2
34Thomas Palmer (Aus) Drapac Professional0:00:54
35Dean Windsor (Aus) Degani Bakery Café0:01:01
36George Tansley (Aus) Team SASI0:01:31
37Julian Hamill (Aus) GPM /Data #30:01:38
38Jonathan Cantwell (Aus) Bikebug0:03:53
DNFMitchell Docker (Aus) Orica GreenEdgeRow 38 - Cell 2
DNFAlex Edmondson (Aus) Orica GreenEdgeRow 39 - Cell 2
DNFSamuel Lowe (GBr) Great Britain National TeamRow 40 - Cell 2
DNFChristopher Latham (GBr) Great Britain National TeamRow 41 - Cell 2
DNFLuke Grivell-Mellor (GBr) Rapha Condor JLTRow 42 - Cell 2
DNFFelix English (Irl) Rapha Condor JLTRow 43 - Cell 2
DNFTom Robinson (Aus) Huon Salmon - GenesysRow 44 - Cell 2
DNFJack Beckinsale (Aus) Huon Salmon - GenesysRow 45 - Cell 2
DNFLuke Davison (Aus) Drapac ProfessionalRow 46 - Cell 2
DNFMalcolm Rudolph (Aus) Drapac ProfessionalRow 47 - Cell 2
DNFAlex Wohler (Aus) Team BudgetforkliftsRow 48 - Cell 2
DNFJesse Kerrison (Aus) Team BudgetforkliftsRow 49 - Cell 2
DNFPeter Loft (Aus) Team BudgetforkliftsRow 50 - Cell 2
DNFRyan Macanally (Aus) Degani Bakery CaféRow 51 - Cell 2
DNFScott Law (Aus) GPM /Data #3Row 52 - Cell 2
DNFJoshua Taylor (Aus) GPM /Data #3Row 53 - Cell 2
DNFCaleb Jones (Aus) GPM /Data #3Row 54 - Cell 2
DNFJames Butler (Aus) Target - Trek RacingRow 55 - Cell 2
DNFDean Sanfilippo (Aus) Target - Trek RacingRow 56 - Cell 2
DNFNicholas D'ambrosio (Aus) Target - Trek RacingRow 57 - Cell 2
DNFRussell Gill (Aus) Team SASIRow 58 - Cell 2
DNFJayden Copp (Aus) Pro Team DownunderRow 59 - Cell 2
DNFSean Whitfield (Aus) Pro Team DownunderRow 60 - Cell 2
DNFJake Klajnblat (Aus) Pro Team DownunderRow 61 - Cell 2
DNFAlexander Smyth (Aus) Total Rush / Hyster RacingRow 62 - Cell 2
DNFDean Heathcote (Aus) Total Rush / Hyster RacingRow 63 - Cell 2
DNFShannon Johnson (Aus) Total Rush / Hyster RacingRow 64 - Cell 2
DNFCraig Johnson (Aus) Total Rush / Hyster RacingRow 65 - Cell 2
DNFJack Edwards (Aus) BikebugRow 66 - Cell 2
DNFJames Mowatt (Aus) BikebugRow 67 - Cell 2
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Intermediate Sprint 1
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Michael Northey (NZl) Grays Online3pts
2Luke Durbridge (Aus) Orica GreenEdge2Row 1 - Cell 3
3Greg Henderson (NZl) Degani Bakery Café1Row 2 - Cell 3
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Intermediate Sprint 2
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Luke Durbridge (Aus) Orica GreenEdge3pts
2Greg Henderson (NZl) Degani Bakery Café2Row 1 - Cell 3
3Graham Briggs (GBr) Great Britain National Team1Row 2 - Cell 3
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Intermediate Sprint 3
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Kristian House (GBr) Rapha Condor JLT3pts
2James Oram (NZl) Grays Online2Row 1 - Cell 3
3Luke Durbridge (Aus) Orica GreenEdge1Row 2 - Cell 3
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General Classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Caleb Ewan (Aus) Bikebug17pts
2Luke Durbridge (Aus) Orica GreenEdge12Row 1 - Cell 3
3Graham Briggs (GBr) Great Britain National Team11Row 2 - Cell 3
4Kristian House (GBr) Rapha Condor JLT10Row 3 - Cell 3
5Leigh Howard (Aus) Orica GreenEdge10Row 4 - Cell 3
6Jens Mouris (Ned) Orica GreenEdge10Row 5 - Cell 3
7James Oram (NZl) Grays Online8Row 6 - Cell 3
8Thomas Scully (NZl) Grays Online8Row 7 - Cell 3
9Steele Von Hoff (Aus) Huon Salmon - Genesys7Row 8 - Cell 3
10Greg Henderson (NZl) Degani Bakery Café6Row 9 - Cell 3
11Thomas Palmer (Aus) Drapac Professional5Row 10 - Cell 3
12Anthony Giacoppo (Aus) Huon Salmon - Genesys4Row 11 - Cell 3
13Simon Yates (GBr) Great Britain National Team3Row 12 - Cell 3
14Rico Rogers (Aus) Total Rush / Hyster Racing2Row 13 - Cell 3
15Brenton Jones (Aus) Huon Salmon - Genesys2Row 14 - Cell 3
16Shaun Mccarthy (Aus) Team Budgetforklifts1Row 15 - Cell 3
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Sprint Ace Competition
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Greg Henderson (NZl) Degani Bakery Café9pts
2Luke Durbridge (Aus) Orica GreenEdge6Row 1 - Cell 3
3Mitchell Docker (Aus) Orica GreenEdge5Row 2 - Cell 3
4Kristian House (GBr) Rapha Condor JLT3Row 3 - Cell 3
5Michael Northey (NZl) Grays Online3Row 4 - Cell 3
6Graham Briggs (GBr) Great Britain National Team3Row 5 - Cell 3
7James Oram (NZl) Grays Online2Row 6 - Cell 3
8Jack Edwards (Aus) Bikebug2Row 7 - Cell 3
9Shaun Mccarthy (Aus) Team Budgetforklifts1Row 8 - Cell 3
10Joseph Lewis (Aus) GPM /Data #31Row 9 - Cell 3
11Vaughan Bowman (Aus) Target - Trek Racing1Row 10 - Cell 3
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Teams Classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Orica GreenEdge32pts
2Bikebug17Row 1 - Cell 3
3Grays Online16Row 2 - Cell 3
4Gbr National Team14Row 3 - Cell 3
5Huon Salmon - Genesys13Row 4 - Cell 3
6Rapha Condor JLT10Row 5 - Cell 3
7Degani Bakery Café6Row 6 - Cell 3
8Drapac Professional5Row 7 - Cell 3
9Total Rush / Hyster Racing2Row 8 - Cell 3
10Team Budgetforklifts1Row 9 - Cell 3

Results - Elite women

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#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Tiffany Cromwell (Aus)0:45:54
2Melissa Hoskins (Aus) Orica - AIS0:00:29
3Peta Mullens (Aus) Anytime Fitness TrekRow 2 - Cell 2
4Gracie Elvin (Aus)0:00:30
5Carla Ryan (Aus) Crino Cycles - Casa & BottegaRow 4 - Cell 2
6Grace Sulzberger (Aus)Row 5 - Cell 2
7Taryn Heather (Aus) Jayco Apollo VIS Women0:00:33
8Shara Gillow (Aus) Orica - AISRow 7 - Cell 2
9Sarah Roy (Aus) Crino Cycles - Casa & BottegaRow 8 - Cell 2
10Miranda Griffiths (Aus)Row 9 - Cell 2
11Leonie Burford (Aus)0:01:13
12Jessica Mundy (Aus) Wiggle HondaRow 11 - Cell 2
13Amanda Spratt (Aus) Orica - AISRow 12 - Cell 2
14Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) Orica - AISRow 13 - Cell 2
15Emily Collins (NZl) Wiggle HondaRow 14 - Cell 2
16Naomi Williams (Aus) Liv / GiantRow 15 - Cell 2
17Jenni King (Aus) Anytime Fitness TrekRow 16 - Cell 2
18Anna Bianca Schnitzmeier (Ger) Wiggle Honda0:01:16
19Chloe Mcconville (Aus) Jayco Apollo VIS WomenRow 18 - Cell 2
20Jessie Maclean (Aus) Orica - AISRow 19 - Cell 2
21Kimberley Wells (Aus) Specialized SecuritorRow 20 - Cell 2
22Judith Louise Betts (Aus) Crino Cycles - Casa & BottegaRow 21 - Cell 2
23Amy Bradley (Aus) Specialized Securitor0:01:20
DNFRochelle Gilmore (Aus) Wiggle HondaRow 23 - Cell 2
DNFLauren Kitchen (Aus) Wiggle HondaRow 24 - Cell 2
DNFKendelle Hodges (Aus) Jayco Apollo VIS WomenRow 25 - Cell 2
DNFJessica Allen (Aus) Jayco Apollo VIS WomenRow 26 - Cell 2
DNFEmma Bilston (Aus) Jayco Apollo VIS WomenRow 27 - Cell 2
DNFNicole Whitburn (Aus) Liv / GiantRow 28 - Cell 2
DNFJenny Macpherson (Aus) Liv / GiantRow 29 - Cell 2
DNFGayle Brownlee (Aus) Liv / GiantRow 30 - Cell 2
DNFClaire Morgan (Aus) Liv / GiantRow 31 - Cell 2
DNFEmma Mackie (Aus) Crino Cycles - Casa & BottegaRow 32 - Cell 2
DNFBrittany Lindores (Aus) Crino Cycles - Casa & BottegaRow 33 - Cell 2
DNFRebecca Henderson (Aus) Anytime Fitness TrekRow 34 - Cell 2
DNFHolly Harris (Aus) Anytime Fitness TrekRow 35 - Cell 2
DNFKirsty Glover (Aus)Row 36 - Cell 2
DNFRebecca Werner (Aus) Specialized SecuritorRow 37 - Cell 2
DNFCarla Franson (Aus) Specialized SecuritorRow 38 - Cell 2
DNFKate Finegan (Aus) Specialized SecuritorRow 39 - Cell 2
DNFSequoia Cooper (NZl) Total Rush / Hyster RacingRow 40 - Cell 2
DNFGrace Phang (Aus) Total Rush / Hyster RacingRow 41 - Cell 2
DNFJosie Simpson (Aus) Total Rush / Hyster RacingRow 42 - Cell 2
DNFLauretta Hanson (Aus) Total Rush / Hyster RacingRow 43 - Cell 2
DNFKirsten Howard (Aus)Row 44 - Cell 2
DNFLara Batkin (Aus)Row 45 - Cell 2
DNFHolly Hawtin (Aus)Row 46 - Cell 2
DNFRuby Greig-Hurtig (Aus)Row 47 - Cell 2
DNFNina Greig-Towers (Aus)Row 48 - Cell 2
DNFHayley Jones (Aus)Row 49 - Cell 2
DNSSophie Williamson (NZl) Total Rush / Hyster RacingRow 50 - Cell 2
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Intermediate Sprint 1
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Tiffany Cromwell (Aus)3pts
2Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) Orica - AIS2Row 1 - Cell 3
3Peta Mullens (Aus) Anytime Fitness Trek1Row 2 - Cell 3
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Intermediate Sprint 2
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Tiffany Cromwell (Aus)3pts
2Gracie Elvin (Aus)2Row 1 - Cell 3
3Grace Sulzberger (Aus)1Row 2 - Cell 3
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General Classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Melissa Hoskins (Aus) Orica - AIS20pts
2Peta Mullens (Aus) Anytime Fitness Trek13Row 1 - Cell 3
3Tiffany Cromwell (Aus)12Row 2 - Cell 3
4Kimberley Wells (Aus) Specialized Securitor12Row 3 - Cell 3
5Rochelle Gilmore (Aus) Wiggle Honda8Row 4 - Cell 3
6Gracie Elvin (Aus)7Row 5 - Cell 3
7Kate Finegan (Aus) Specialized Securitor7Row 6 - Cell 3
8Carla Ryan (Aus) Crino Cycles - Casa & Bottega6Row 7 - Cell 3
9Sarah Roy (Aus) Crino Cycles - Casa & Bottega6Row 8 - Cell 3
10Nicole Whitburn (Aus) Liv / Giant6Row 9 - Cell 3
11Grace Sulzberger (Aus)5Row 10 - Cell 3
12Taryn Heather (Aus) Jayco Apollo VIS Women4Row 11 - Cell 3
13Shara Gillow (Aus) Orica - AIS3Row 12 - Cell 3
14Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) Orica - AIS3Row 13 - Cell 3
15Jenny Macpherson (Aus) Liv / Giant2Row 14 - Cell 3
16Miranda Griffiths (Aus)1Row 15 - Cell 3
17Kirsty Glover (Aus)1Row 16 - Cell 3
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Sprint Ace Competition
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Tiffany Cromwell (Aus)8pts
2Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) Orica - AIS5Row 1 - Cell 3
3Gracie Elvin (Aus)4Row 2 - Cell 3
4Kate Finegan (Aus) Specialized Securitor3Row 3 - Cell 3
5Melissa Hoskins (Aus) Orica - AIS1Row 4 - Cell 3
6Peta Mullens (Aus) Anytime Fitness Trek1Row 5 - Cell 3
7Grace Sulzberger (Aus)1Row 6 - Cell 3
8Shara Gillow (Aus) Orica - AIS1Row 7 - Cell 3
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Teams Classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Orica - AIS26pts
2Specialized Securitor19Row 1 - Cell 3
3Anytime Fitness Trek13Row 2 - Cell 3
4Crino Cycles - Casa & Bottega12Row 3 - Cell 3
5Wiggle Honda8Row 4 - Cell 3
6Liv / Giant8Row 5 - Cell 3
7Jayco Apollo VIS Women4Row 6 - Cell 3

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As a sports journalist and producer since 1997, Jane has covered Olympic and Commonwealth Games, rugby league, motorsport, cricket, surfing, triathlon, rugby union, and golf for print, radio, television and online. However her enduring passion has been cycling.

 

Jane is a former Australian Editor of Cyclingnews from 2011 to 2013 and continues to freelance within the cycling industry.


 

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