2019 Bay Criterium Series Launched
	December 19th 2018         Sarah Gigante and Brenton Jones launch the 2019 Bay Crits. Photo: Con Chronis           The men's field is headed by a host of World Tour stars including former winners Caleb Ewan and Brenton Jones who are joined by Luke Durbridge, Nathan Haas, Miles Scotson, Roger Kluge, Zak Dempster, Heinrich Haussler and Koen de Kort. In the women's Valentina Scandolara returns looking to add another title to her name and with Chloe Hosking and Australian road champions Amanda Spratt, Shannon Malseed and Peta Mullens the competition will be a tough as ever. "Having such a high calibre field is amazing and a great way to welcome in a big summer of cycling. Really looking forward to the big names slugging it out over the tight racing, it will be great for the crowds to see so many pro-riders at Geelong and Williamstown," said Race Director John Trevorrow. Brenton Jones and Victorian local was equally as excited for the return and to start the Australian summer at the popular criterium series. "The Lexus Blackburn Bay Crits is a race I have fond memories of - from watching my mum run the event when I was a kid to winning it in 2014. "I'm excited to race with the Lexus All Stars Team, it will be great to race with Durbo for the first time, he's got a big engine and heaps of experience. I've raced with the other guys at some point in my career, so it will be good to catch up and have some fun." Along with the elite races the MS Mile will be run in Geelong and Williamstown with the gold coin donation from participation going to the event charity partner MS. "The MS Mile is open to anybody, one will be held in Geelong and one will be held in Williamstown. It's one lap of the course in Geelong and two laps of the course in Williamstown for a gold coin donation and all funds go to the charity partner MS," said Paralympic and World Champion Carol Cooke. "I think it's wonderful that the Bay Crits have taken on a charity partner. From what I understand a lot of the international riders who don't have a team will be part of an MS Team and be given special jersey's with an MS logo on it so that will boost the profile even more." Races Tuesday January 1: Eastern Gardens, Geelong Wednesday January 2: Richie Blvd, Geelong Thursday January 3: Williamstown