Lexus Blackburn Bay Crits 2019: Race 1, Eastern Gardens, Geelong – preview (men)
Caleb Ewan begins his season in new Lotto Soudal colours
JLT Condor's Ian Bibby got off to a flying start with victory in 2017's opening Bay Crits race on the nearby Ritchie Boulevard circuit after two of the race favourites – Bibby's teammate Brenton Jones and Mitchelton's Caleb Ewan – crashed on the final corner. Bibby went on to take the overall title, proving that anything can happen in this high-speed, three-race series.
Ewan has joined Belgian squad Lotto Soudal for 2019, and will be looking to prove to his new team what a great signing he is by opening his account on this opening day, and the Australian sprinter will be hard to bet against after an hour of racing on this 1.92km Eastern Gardens circuit.
Watch out, too, for Katusha 'guest riders' Dylan McKenna and Tom Chapman, who both won the chance to ride with the WorldTour team's Nathan Haas, Marco Haller and Alex Dowsett at the Bay Crits, but will choose how many of the three races they'll take part in.
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Cyclingnews is the world's leader in English-language coverage of professional cycling. Started in 1995 by University of Newcastle professor Bill Mitchell, the site was one of the first to provide breaking news and results over the internet in English. The site was purchased by Knapp Communications in 1999, and owner Gerard Knapp built it into the definitive voice of pro cycling. Since then, major publishing house Future PLC has owned the site and expanded it to include top features, news, results, photos and tech reporting. The site continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative English voice in professional cycling.
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Juan Ayuso breaks long-term contract to leave UAE Team Emirates-XRG early over 'differences in vision'
Team confirm Spaniard's departure, with new team not yet announced, but will complete season with UAE -
'I was so mentally broken' – Vuelta a España leader Torstein Træen opens up about deep struggles with concussion on first rest day
Norwegian details struggles with concussion in early part of season after defending red jersey successfully -
Primož Roglič to join Tadej Pogačar at Rwanda World Championships
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe rider expected to be amongst Slovenian selection as Pogačar hunts title defence -
Former Belgian racer and team manager Walter Godefroot dies at 82
Belgian won four Monuments and 10 Tour de France stages during his career before going on to manage Telekom to two Tour wins in the 1990s