Jones rides to fairytale finish as Roseman-Gannon repeats
DRAMATIC scenes concluded three days of racing on the Geelong Waterfront after Brenton Jones secured the swansong to his 20-year career, taking out the Citroen Bay Crits title on a points countback from an impressive Graeme Frislie in his last competitive race.
It was an emotional victory capping off a glittering career, which came down to the final second.
Jones took out the stage three win on Tuesday with Frislie finishing third behind Blake Agnoletto. Frislie’s placing proved to be enough to equal Jones on 30 points.
Jones then won on a countback, with his two stage wins ahead of Frislie’s one.
“I’m incredibly proud of Graeme’s ride as well. I respect him as a teammate last year. But to get my second win overall here is amazing and to end my career like this is fantastic. I’m really looking forward to the future now.”
The veteran’s win sparked emotional scenes from the Jones family, with mum Karin (event director) and pregnant wife Lucy in tears of joy.
The win is the second time Jones has claimed the Bay Crits trophy; the first being in 2014.
Overall women’s winner Ruby Roseman-Gannon was in a class of her own defending her Bay Crits title following wins on the first and second days of racing.
More than 200 cyclists competed in the men’s and women’s elite Criterium and support events in Geelong for the Bay Crits.