The Bay Crits are back!
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John Trevorrow
Race Director |
Welcome back - it's time to get ready for the 2020 Lexus of Blackburn Bay Crits.
It is great to welcome Lexus of Backburn back as the naming rights partner. As I’ve mentioned many times, cycling is an amazing sport that exemplifies the best in human endeavour as well as the colour and excitement that criterium racing brings to the fans. But it’s all about passion. Passion from the riders who put it all on the line and passion from the fans who follow this demanding sport all year and passion from the organisers. And Lexus of Blackburn show that same passion in everything they do. They are passionate about their product and, most importantly, they are passionate about their customers. I would also like to welcome on board a new Corporate Partner in PSC Insurance Group PSC racing into 2020 with the Lexus of Blackburn Bay Crits Like many of the stars you will see racing today PSC has a proven track record – in business acquisition, establishment and turnaround in the insurance services industry. The PSC Group comprises a portfolio of businesses ranging from start-ups to mature businesses. First held in 1989, The Bay Crits has been an innovator over the years - taking the race to the people is what it has always been about. Recognised by National and International participants as the fastest criterium series in the world, the Bay Crits has hosted some of the world’s biggest teams such as Spanish powerhouse Once and French team Credit Agricole back when that just didn't happen in Australia. The superstars of Australian cycling cut their teeth in the Bay Crits. Names such as Cadel Evans, Stuart O'Grady, Robbie McEwen, Brad McGee, Baden Cooke and in the women's Kathy Watt, Anna Wilson, Oenone Wood, Rochelle Gilmore and Tracey Gaudry. In the early days, it was Gary Sutton who showed his class and many may not know this, but the Bay Crits was the only race Phil Anderson ever rode in Australia after he turned professional in 1980 until he retired in 1993. It was also the first event to offer equal prizemoney to women. In more recent times we have seen the rise and rise of Caleb Ewan, who first starred as a 17 year old and Brenton Jones who worked on the event as a youngster, before going on to win the series in 2014. The women’s event has blossomed over recent years with some of the best criterium racing seen anywhere in the world on show right here in Victoria. The quality fields have seen top ladies such as Melissa Hoskins, Chloe Hosking, Gracie Elvin and Italian stars Giorgia Bronzini and Valentina Scandolara take exciting victories. Events such as the Bay Crits don’t just happen. It takes a strong team and some quality partners to make a truly great event. The Bay Crits has that in spades. “I would like to congratulate the team that has come together to bring the Bay Crits back to the cycling fold and to sincerely thank our commercial partners, local council partners and State Government, most who have been with us for many years, and look forward to working with you all again in the coming series. John Trevorrow Race Director |
