Cyclist Rochelle Gilmore made the perfect start to the new year by taking honours in the first stage of the 2011 Jayco Bay Cycling Classic in Geelong.

After a stellar year in 2010 that saw Commonwealth Games gold and superb performances across Europe, Gilmore outlasted Belinda Goss over the first stage to take 12 points and continue the form that saw her win the recent NSW International Cycling Grand Prix in December.

The first stage of the men’s elite category saw NSWIS athlete Chris Sutton finish second, Graeme Brown finish fourth and Mark Renshaw finish seventh. Sutton has been battling illness since his overall victory at the NSW International Cycling Grand Prix, but performed strongly enough to finish with 10 points.

The second day of competition proved to be more difficult for the contending NSWIS athletes. Gilmore finished sixth to couple her first place finish from the first leg, however fellow NSWIS athlete Lauren Kitchen shone on a day led by youngsters to finish second and tally 10 points.

Gilmore leads the women’s elite category on 17 points, five clear of second place.

The men’s elite saw Chris Sutton finish 10th during stage two to move to 11 points, third overall in the men’s elite category.

The NSWIS Cycling Program is proudly supported by Bankstown Sports.

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