Recap: Bathurst Cycling Classic

Venue: Bathurst, NSW

It was a terrific weekend away with the team which saw some great performances and improvements on previous results in the Bathurst Cycling Classic.

The highlight of the weekend was the performance of the Development Team in the Men’s Short Course (70km) road race from Blayney to Bathurst. With all riders in good form and feeling strong, the team was able to dictate terms from the outset. Brendan Buhagiar escaped from the main pack several times with some sustained efforts but ultimately the breakaway would not be successful. With Guy Brown calling the shots to the team on the road, the bunch reformed on the outskirts of Bathurst before the tempo was increased by Aiden Sinclair and Matt Lee to provide a launchpad for Luke Deasey to make the winning move on the final pinch into town and hold a 50m advantage to the finish line. A breakthrough victory for Luke and a major success for the team who supported each-other and ensured a solid result for Dhuez with Luke, Brendan, Aiden, Matt and Guy all finishing in the top 8. #StrongerAsOne

Nathan Bonarius and Chris Aitken raced solidly all weekend in the Elite Men’s division. Both put in solid performances in the Hill Climb with Nate possibly surprising himself (whilst suffering immensely) to take 3^rd in the Masters 3 category. He then had a nasty slip on a technical corner in the criterium but was able to get back on the bike and recover to win the prime in that event. In the road race, Chris escaped in an early break with the eventual winner (Sam Hill) that stayed away from the bunch for 80km (of 110km) but in the end was gathered in by the peloton. Still, an excellent effort and threw everything he had at the race in an effort to put himself in a winning position.

A notable mention also for Jonathan Farley who stepped up to race in the elite wave and finished with the main bunch in Bathurst. Great result for a young rider!

The Dhuez Women’s team had some good results in the Hill Climb and Crits also but their efforts in the B2B road race were frustrated by an earlier crash (in the crit) for Nadia Younan which ruled her out and a flat tyre for Claire Dedden after only 30km. Emma Bunn battled on alone and finished 5^th which was a very pleasing result as she transitions from track racing to the road for what is hopefully a big season ahead.

Congratulations team! #tricolours

Gallery:

Gallery of photos from 2019 Bathurst Cycling Classic

Notable results:

Luke Deasey

• 1^st Blayney 2 Bathurst – Mens Short Course (70km).

Brendan Buhagiar

• 3^rd Blayney 2 Bathurst – Mens Short Course (70km).
• 2^nd in Div 3 Mens Criterium

Aiden Sinclair

• 5^th Blayney 2 Bathurst – Mens Short Course (70km).
• 1^st U17 Hill Climb (9:51:28 – 24.96km/h)
• 2nd in U17 Mens Criterium

Matthew Lee

• 6^th Blayney 2 Bathurst – Mens Short Course (70km).
• 2^nd in Div 2 Mens Criterium

Guy Brown

• 8^th Blayney 2 Bathurst – Mens Short Course (70km).

Emma Bunn

• 5^th Blayney 2 Bathurst – Womens Short Course (70km).

Nate Bonarius

• 3^rd Masters Men 3 Hill Climb (9:47:04)
• Crashed and then got back up and went on to win the prime in Div 1 Criterium.

Nadia Younan

• 5^th Elite Women Hill Climb (11:37:21 – 21.17km/h) and winner of UGFWS Time Trial Qualifier (40-44 Women)
• Prime winner in Div 2 Criterium before crashing out in slippery conditions on the final bend from home.

Chris Aitken

• 5^th Elite Men Hill Climb (9:28:18)