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
-
'Exciting and special' - Geraint Thomas hopes UK Grand Départ for 2027 Tour de France inspires next generation of cyclists
'Knowing this is my last season just makes everything special and easier to do' says Ineos Grenadiers rider ahead of Volta a Catalunya -
Top riders at Milan-San Remo left disappointed after being dropped in Cipressa attack
Many of the pre-race favourites had very little to write home about after La Classicissima -
The risk-takers and history-makers of Milan-San Remo Women 2025 - Gallery
The best photos of the race as Lorena Wiebes makes history on the Via Roma at the revived women's edition of the Italian Monument -
'Something for everybody' - Thomas De Gendt explains the Volta a Catalunya's enduring, across-the-board attraction
The intriguing, explosive mix of GC riders, allrounders and breakaway artists makes the Volta like no other week-long stage race, argues De Gendt in his latest column