Swiss road race champion Mauro Schmid (Team Jayco AlUla) claimed victory over Aaron Gate (XDS Astana Team) and Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) in brutal conditions to win the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Men.
Schmid crossed the finish line first as Team Jayco AlUla fought hard and played their cards extremely well, notching their first win as a team in the race’s history despite extreme conditions.
Click here for the full race replay
Team Jayco AlUla were very patient throughout the race and waited for other teams to make their moves, keeping things under control. They put fellow teammate Christopher Harper up the road early which enabled Schmidt to get a nice ride, putting pressure on rival teams in Israel – Premier Tech and Lidl – Trek.
XDS Astana Team although not known to be major players, were smart and played lowkey, with journeyman Aaron Gate notching up second overall for their team.
Despite other teams being extremely conscious of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, 2024 winner Laurence Pithie was able to claim a podium finish in third, speaking volumes about both the quality of him as a rider and their team as a whole.
New Zealand were dominant in the Men’s Road Race, with four finishers in the top 10, continuing their dominance at the event after Ally Wollaston’s two wins in the Surf Coast Classic – Women and Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Women
Race Results:
- Mauro Schmid (Team Jayco AlUla)
- Aaron Gate (XDS Astana Team)
- Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
- Javier Romo (Movistar Team)
- Andrea Bagioli (Lidl – Trek)
King of the Mountain:
Rudy Porter (Australian Cycling Team)
Mapei Most Combative Rider:
Chris Harper (Team Jayco AlUla)
Click here for full results
Q&A from Mauro Schmid (Team Jayco AlUla)
How big a goal was this race for you when coming out to Australia?
“I had some good memories from this race two years ago but you never really know in which direction it goes. Can be a bunch sprint or a really small group. It was a really big goal.”
What made you sense that was the moment to go?
“I think in the last climb I saw everybody was on the limit. I still had good quite good legs on the climb. With Chris in front, he did an amazing ride today. He also was a big part of this win because I could just sit back and then when we caught him on the last climb, I knew now was the moment and I’d see if I could get a gap, and it worked out.”
Was that the plan, or was that how it unfolded during the race?
“When I saw how hot it was and I felt the first lap, [I thought] that it would be probably quite a small group. I was thinking it could be a good moment but I actually wanted to try it on the really last kicker, otherwise I still saw there were still some quite forceful sprinters, so I knew to go for the win I needed to try get away. It worked out quite well.”
Was Chris’ move premeditated? How much did the team tactics led to this?
“It wasn’t really planned, but we went in with quite an open plan. We said in a meeting that we’d see how the other teams raced – if it would be aggressive, we would also try to ride offensive and keep it under control for as long as possible. I think it was a big help to have Chris up there because we could just sit back and let the other teams chase so it was a big part and I think he did an amazing ride. He was not far away – if he had stayed away over the top he’d have had a good chance to win this race also.”
How big is this for the team? It’s the first time the men have won here. You had some challenges in the last month.
“It was definitely not easy for us. Especially losing Plappy for this race, we knew he played a key part in this race for the last two years, he was always very prominent. He would have been a big help for us, and being one man short it’s not easy in a race like this, but I think the whole team was super motivated for this one. I think we all had great shape and we didn’t get the reward at TDU, so I think everybody in the Surf Coast Classic did a very good ride. We didn’t get the reward with the result, so to now win this race is special.”
Q&A from Aaron Gate (XDS Astana Team)
How did you find today?
“It is pretty surreal, I really wanted the win today and I raced to win, but had to gamble a bit in the in the final there. Mauro was in phenomenal form, hats off to him, he deserved the win. It was a selfless ride by the by the whole team today to keep me in the in contention and just fight it out in that last lap.”
How hard was it to hang in there?
“I thought I’d be on the cusp of hanging onto the front group or just trying to come back in the second group like how it often happens here in previous editions, but luckily I was able to hold on. I wouldn’t use the word comfortable, but I was in the mix and that top select group over the top was a nice place to be. Then it was all about just trying to suck in the big ones and recover as much as possible to try and give the sprint to the finish line a crack.”
Did you think you’d be able to hang on to that jersey you wearing?
“There’s always tough competition as you saw, there’s myself, [Laurence Pithie] and Corbin were all trying to sprint against each other for the win and it’s a tough uphill finish at the end of the course, so it’s not gonna be easy. I’m up against a lot of peers with the likes of all the other guys having a teammate, but nationals are often unpredictable races and you just have to go all in and see what happens.”
Q&A from Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Have you had any troubles adjusting to a new team?
“No, it’s been a super smooth adjustment. I think the environment has made it really easy and enjoyable. I’m super happy with the new team and I’m glad I could show that I had legs today. Unfortunately it wasn’t for the win but you know, that happens sometimes. You can’t win them all. We’ve had a pretty successful time here in Australia, so I think we can head to Europe pretty happy.”
Any regrets out on the track?
“For sure there’s always going to be regrets when one guy stays away and wins solo. Anyway I had a teammate in the group so I was trying to rely on him a little more and have an easier ride. Probably could have followed Mauro but you know, it’s hard to stay away from the defence. I tried to rely on other people this year, like last year and stay calm but Mauro was too strong today.”
How did you find the race today?
“Yeah, it was my first goal of the year. I was more of a support role last weekend in Adelaide. I got hit by a car in Christchurch before coming to this race, so it took me a while to find my legs and for my body to recover, but yeah, I mean this week I felt super good so I knew I’d have a really good chance today and the team backed me in 100%. We are all friends, so I wanted to reward them with a victory.”