Mountain biker Fry surprises on the road

By Malcolm Sawford in Eastern Park

Tasmanian mountain biker Rowena Fry took a surprise win on day three of the 2009 Jayco Bay Cycling Classic on Sunday. It was a race marred by crashes that put defending champion Megan Dunn out of the race.

"I'm a bit shocked!" the dual Australian mountain bike champion said. "This is only about my third crit, I'm just here for a training block. I was waiting for people to come past me and they never did. The photo in the paper tomorrow could be pretty funny. I think I'll look pretty shocked."

Fry surprised everyone with her acceleration at the base of the final climb.

The 40-minute women's race had to be drastically shortened after a serious crash involving 2008 series winner Megan Dunn (NSWIS), Kate Finegan, Gina Grain (MB Cycles) and Jenny Macpherson (G Force/Body Torque). Officials had to suspended the race for well over ten minutes while medics assessed Finegan and Dunn's injuries. The medics took both to Geelong Hospital later; Finegan with suspected back injuries and concussion, and Dunn with a fractured collar bone. Officials don't expect either to continue in the series.

Fry is not riding the series as part of a team, but entered as part of her return to full fitness after contracting glandular fever in 2008.

See Cyclingnews' full coverage of the elite men's and elite women's stage three races at the Jayco Bay Classic.