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  Neither defending Champion Luke Durbridge or under 23 winner and second place finisher Rob Power are back this year. Bernard Sulzberger and Brenton Jones both of Drapac who were the next best finishers last year are back looking to climb on to the top step. The big teams of Avanti, Budget Forklifts and Drapac all bring big teams that will be sure to control the race. Avanti and Budget both have riders from both New Zealand and Australia creating a further dynamic.

Don't discount the riders without big teams though including Michael Hepburn, Ben Hill and Lachlan Morton among others.

The Route



Four laps of a 35.78km circuit around Goombungee, just north of Toowoomba. The hilly course is one that suits the puncheur and climbers. An undulating eight kilometres opens the laps before a 13.17km climb starting at the 8.4km mark. While the average gradient might only be 1.5% if raced at a fast pace will likely put a lot of riders under pressure.

Over the top there is a short descent of just under two kilometres before a second 1.9km climb that tops out after 25km. After a gradual downhill run for two kilometres the peloton will face another rise before a seven kilometre run in to the finish.

The opening lap if raced hard is likely to result in a much reduced peloton. Expect to see attacks come on the final two rises. If a rider or a group is able to get a gap there is a strong change they could solo away to the finish.

The Contenders

Start list available here

Avanti

New Zealand
Patrick Bevin
Jason Christie
Joe Cooper
Tom Davison
Fraser Gough
Taylor Gunman

Australia
Ben Dyball
Mitch Lovelock-Fay
Mark O'Brien
Pat Shaw
Neil Van der Ploeg

Avanti has 11 riders in the race, six from New Zealand and five from Australia. The question is do they work together as a trade team or are allegiances split between nations. With a qualifying spot at the World Championships at stake there is a lot on the line.

Patrick Bevin and Joe Cooper are two of the most on form riders in the race. Second and third at the recent Herald Sun Tour with Bevin the winner on the final stage. Bevin has a very quick finish especially from a small group and has shown he is on form. Cooper is the defending champion in the time trial and might be more focused there. Young Kiwi duo Taylor and Jason Christie will also fancy their chances. Gunman won the New Zealand Cycle Classic at the start of February with Christie in second.

Neil Van der Ploeg could be the name to watch though. Bronze medallist at the Australian National Championships with a very quick finish and climbs very well. If Van der Ploeg is in contention at the finish will be one to keep a very close eye on.

Tour of Southland winner Tour of Southland and climber Mark O'Brien are other riders to keep an eye on.

Budget Forklifts

Australia
Jack Anderson
Josh Berry
Brendan Canty
Kristian Juel
Jacob Kauffmann
Tommy Nankervis
Josh Prete
Brodie Talbot
Sam Witmitz

New Zealand
Daniel Barry
Samuel Horgan
Michael Torckler

Despite having a number of riders in France at the Track World Championships Budget has still assembled a strong team. 12 riders again split between Australia and New Zealand.

2009 winner Tommy Nankervis is back after finishing fifth in 2014, second in the bunch sprint behind Brenton Jones. Brendan Canty finished fourth on the final stage of the Herald Sun Tour on route to seventh overall. New Zealand Cycle Classic stage winner Josh Prete is yet another card for the team to play. The team might not be as well known as Avanti or Drapac but they regularly take big wins. Jack Anderson and Kristian Juel both also finished in the first chasing group last year.

Climber Michael Torckler returns to a team in Oceania after several years racing in the United States. Former winner of the Tour of Borneo, Tour of Wellington and top 10 at Jelajah Malaysia. Solid performances so far in 2015 with 16th Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and 17th Herald Sun Tour. Samuel Horgan is another name keep an eye on.

Drapac

Graeme Brown
Will Clarke
Robbie Hucker
Brenton Jones
Jordan Kerby
Darren Lapthorne
Lachlan Norris
Cameron Peterson
Adam Phelan
Tim Roe
Malcolm Rudolph
Sam Spokes
Bernard Sulzberger

With 13 riders in the race, and all from Australia Drapac is the team to watch and expect them to be in the action from start to finish. With Brenton Jones they have arguably the fastest sprinter in the race and can put together a strong leadout in the event of a sprint. Fourth placed finisher last year Jones climbs well, the only question is how he has recovered from his crash at the Herald Sun Tour.

Expect to see the team put multiple riders in the early break and depending on the composition they could be happy to let it stay away. Will Clarke comes in with good form having won the prologue at the Herald Sun Tour and packs a quick finish.

Bernard Sulzberger finished third last year and was the top finished after winner Luke Durbridge and under 23 winner Rob Power. Sam Spokes and Adam Phelan are both suited to the course and like Clarke have strong finishes especially from smaller groups.

With riders like Tim Roe, Lachlan Norris and Darren Lapthorne they have other options for longer attacks on the climbs.

Michael Hepburn

As the only rider in the field from Orica-GreenEDGE, Hepburn is outgunned with Avanti, Budget and Drapac all having big teams. Hepburn will likely have to gamble on going in the early break or hoping it comes together. Hepburn's form at the Australian National Championships seemed to be about the best of his career to date. Part of the team that piloted Cameron Meyer to victory at the Sun Tour. If Hepburn is in the mix as the finish could be one to take the win.

Charter Mason Giant

Jayden Copp
David Edwards
Ben Hill
Ryan Macanally

Charter Mason Giant might not have the team strength in numbers but they are another team who regularly punch above their weight. Ben Hill has made a strong return after his suspension including three stage wins at the Tour of Southland. An attacking rider who is likely to be seen off the front at least once during the race.

Jayden Copp finished in the first chase group last year in 13th. If it all comes back together expect to see the team work for Ryan Macanally.

Oliver Kent-Spark

Has twice finishes in the top 20 at the Australian Championships but his biggest success came at Melbourne to Warrnambool at the end of the 2014 NRS season where he took the win ahead of Alex Edmondson. Without a big team around him it will be difficult but his Melbourne to Warrnambool victory shows he is more than capable.

Other names to watch: Lachlan Morton, Craig Evers, Aaron Donnelly and Chris Jory.

Under 23

Names to watch: Harry Carpenter, Harrison Carter, Angus Lyons, Dan Fitter, Tom Kaessler, Alex Clements, Jai Hindley, Josh Harrison, Ayden Toovey and Para Cycling World Champion Alistair Donohoe.
 
 
         
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