Lexus Blackburn Bay Crits 2020: Race 1, Ritchie Boulevard, Geelong – preview (women)

Chloe Hosking took the honours at last year's Bay Crits race on the Ritchie Boulevard circuit, out-sprinting eventual overall winner of the three-race series, Valentina Scandolara of Italy.
The Australian sprinter will be back for 2020, and must start as the overwhelming favourite on this course, although Lexus of Blackburn teammate Amanda Spratt will be in with a shout, while principal rivals will include national criterium champion Rebecca Wiasak (Novotel-Mitchelton) and Roxsolt Attaquer's Peta Mullens.
The first two of the three Bay Crits races switch places for 2020, which means that proceedings begin with this 650-metre-long Ritchie Boulevard circuit in Geelong, and while the racing will be hard and fast over 45 minutes, for spectators this is one of the best crits out there to enjoy, with a steep grass bank overlooking the start/finish straight providing a natural grandstand from which to watch the action.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
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
-
Justin Peck and Jen Tavé win muddy Ukiah Mendo Gravel Epic in fourth round of Grasshopper Adventure Series
Tavé rode solo for most of the 76-mile contest to step up from second place finish last year -
'It's a bit of an obsession to reach 100 wins' - Alexander Kristoff to pass the baton to younger brother Felix Ørn-Kristoff and retire at close of 2025 season
Norwegian's 19-year-old sibling a stage winner in Tour de Bretagne this week -
Tour de Romandie: Sam Watson wins prologue
Briton tops Ivo Oliveira and Ivan Romeo for first WorldTour victory -
The rocky pathway into pro cycling - Troy Fields overcomes concussion, broken bones to restart career with 'unfinished business' at US Nationals
21-year-old is ready to rejoin the peloton after a Challenge Mallorca crash and time off from being struck by driver of a car while training