It was the race of the Kings, with three riders called King challenging for the win, in the end the Peloton and Aussies pushed Michael Matthews to the U23 Victory.
Ben King from the USA took an early breakaway and with Hong Kong rider King Lok Cheung and later Ben King of Australia forming the chase group.
Even with the exciting breakaway and chase, the peloton closed in absorbing all Kings, and the Aussie team consolidated and drove through placing Michael Matthews in the best position. John Degenkolb of Germany took second and U23 Time Trial champion Taylor Phinney (USA) tied in third position with Guillaume Boivin of Canada.
Niel and Rob from BNA were around the Barrabool Road with a view over the tough climb to present these shots from the 2010 U23 World Championship Road Race:
Ben King (USA) early breakaway after 2 kilometres
After snacks in suburban Melbourne, the rider kick back into groove
Ben King (USA) retains his lead on the peloton
Andrei Krasilnikau (Berlarus), King Lok Cheung (Hong Kong, China) and Ben King (Australia) in a chase group
The Barrabool Roard climb should be underestimated
The Under 23’s overcoming the Barrabool Road Climb
More Barrabool Road exhaustion for the U23’s
Out of the saddles, over the crest
Italy’s Moreno Moser (Francesco Moser’s Nephew) breaks away to catch the chase group trio
The Aussies consolidate in the peloton
Moreno Moser almost with the chase group
Setting the pace on the Peloton in the last round
The peloton bearing down on the finish
2010 UCI World U23 Road Championships Results
1 Michael Matthews (Australia) 4:01:23
2 John Degenkolb (Germany)
3 Taylor Phinney (United States Of America)
3 Guillaume Boivin (Canada)
5 Arnaud Demare (France)
6 Sonny Colbrelli (Italy)
7 Laurens De Vreese (Belgium)
8 Sebastian Lander (Denmark)
9 Juan Jose Lobato Del Valle (Spain)
10 Viacheslav Kuznetsov (Russian Federation)
11 Luke Rowe (Great Britain)
12 Siarhei Papok (Belarus)
13 Blaz Jarc (Slovenia)
14 Ramunas Navardauskas (Lithuania)
15 Stefano Agostini (Italy)
16 David Boily (Canada)
17 Sylwester Janiszewski (Poland)
18 Mikel Landa Meana (Spain)
19 Yonathan Monsalve (Venezuela)
20 Egidijus Juodvalkis (Lithuania)
A big thankyou from BNA goes to Neil who spent time with us, taking photographs and getting us around the course to the best vantage points.
Photos : Neil for BNA
