Breakers … The breakaway group come down the hill on Cottrel St East in Werribee. 54185
By Michael Esposito
IT WAS a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Werribee public to witness one of the most prestigious road races on the world cycling calendar as world-class riders zipped through the suburb en route to Geelong on Sunday in the elite men’s road race – the feature race of the UCI World Road Championships.
Starting from Melbourne, riders made their way towards the West Gate Bridge before riding Werribee’s Derrimut Rd, Railway Ave, Market Rd and Cottrell St and across Werribee River on to Bulban Rd and on to Geelong.
The 257km race, only second in prestige to the Tour de France and held for the first time in the southern hemisphere, was won by Norwegian Thor Hushovd, with Allan Davis the best-placed Australian in third. Cadel Evans finished 17th in a bunch sprint.
Evans, last year’s champion, said the race was a real battle of attrition.
“This was a real bike race, this one. There were only a few strong men left at the end,” he said.
“It was a real tough race and it took so much time. If the breakaway didn’t get so far out we might have had a chance to have a spell, (but) because the break was so far away the pressure was always on.
“It was a confusing race. When (Philippe) Gilbert was away, I was trying to encourage a bit of co-operation in the groups I was with, but no one wanted to commit in that final part of the race because to close one gap might finish your race and your day.”
Evans said he had rarely received such enthusiastic support from a crowd.
“It was deafening, I think I had my ears ringing for a while, going up that really steep climb, especially when I was at the business end of the race,” he said.
Overall, Australia had a successful championships, topping the medal tally with a gold, silver and bronze medal.
Michael Matthews became the first Australian to win the under-23 men’s world road race, while compatriot Luke Durbridge finished second in the under-23 men’s time trial.
Pat McQuaid, president of the UCI, hailed the event’s success, held outside Europe only once every seven years.
“I can tell you that the teams that are here, and the team managers that are here – that have many, many years’ experience of cycling, world championships and major events – have said they’re absolutely happy with everything that has been laid on from here,” he said.
“They’re happy with the atmosphere, happy with the course, happy with the security, happy with everything,” he said.
“I was talking to one of the directors of Slovenian cycling and he said this was his 10th world championships and it was the best he’s ever been at.”
