From Perth, Australia:

The 2011 edition of the Boxing Day Papa’s World Champs had the biggest field yet. Several pro riders on Christmas break joined 200+ other locals for the annual hit out.

Rabobank’s Jos van Emden and Graeme Brown were there, along with new GreenEdge signings Cameron Meyer, Travis Meyer and Luke Durbridge. World Omnium Champion Michael Freiberg was also in the bunch.

The Old Papa’s group ride is a Perth institution. Originating in the eighties as a Sunday ride, Papa’s also has Thursday, Saturday and public holiday variations. Many big names have won the Papa’s sprint throughout the years – the ‘Leighton Beach Gift’.

The Boxing Day public holiday edition has grown in recent years to achieve World Championship status – no mean feat for the ‘little’ Perth group ride.

The 2011 Boxing Day edition was taken out by Anthony Giacoppo of Genesys Pro Cycling (the speedo reportedly hitting 71.3km/h), followed by Stephen Hall (Arbitrage), Michael Freiberg, Graeme Brown(Rabobank),  with Tour Down Under champion Cameron Meyer (Garmin/Cervelo, GreenEdge next year) rounding out the top 5.