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  Calendar   2015 Oceania Continental Championships  
 
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  With the European season just around the corner many of Australia's top professionals have already left to prepare for the spring classics but a highly competitive field is ready to battle for the Oceania Champions jersey. Taking the win also gives the winner an automatic qualifying spot pending final selection at the World Championships giving extra incentive to riders to fight for a World Championship spot.

Last year Jessica Allen took the win ahead of Lisa Keeling in a two up sprint from the early break. Shara Gillow rounded out the podium after a long solo chase. Of the three only Allen is down to start.

The Route



Three 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

Jessica Allen

Allen took somewhat of a surprise win last year but the former junior World time trial Champion is a talented rider who generally performs in big races. After her plans to target the Rio 2016 Olympics as a tandem pilot on the track changed Allen has refocused on defending her title. Has had limited preparation but Allen is a fighter who will everything she has.

Katrin Garfoot

The 2013 Champion is back to regain her title after finishing fifth last year. If there is a type of course that suits Garfoot this is it. The constant undulation and short climbs are perfect for Garfoot. One of three Orica-AIS riders in the race, giving her options. Capable of going with attacks and has a potent sprint from a small group or can sit back and wait for a sprint from a bigger group. Missed a lot of racing with injury in January so her form is unknown. The time trial will give an indication of her form.

Ellen Skerritt

Second overall in the National Road Series last year and on almost home roads this could be the race Skerritt takes a big win. Wanted gold in the under 23 time trial and road race at the Australian Championships but had to settle for the podium so expect to see her even more motivated here. Showed good form at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race where she finished eighth and the best young rider. Was off her best in the time trial, after recovering from illness.

Rachel Neylan

With injury behind her the 2012 World Championship silver medallist is back and has been flying this year. A narrow second to Peta Mullens at the Australian Championships, sixth at the Santos Women's Tour before an exceptional solo win at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race at the end of January. Without a quick finish expect to see Neylan attack on the climbs and attempt to solo to the win like she did at CEGORR.

Lauren Kitchen

Often thought of as a sprinter and leadout speciallist but Kitchen climbs very well especially on ones like this. Kitchen is a regular top 10 finisher on the hilly Buninyong course at the Australian National Championships. Showed good form in the time trial, finishing second. If Kitchen can hang on with the climbers she will be hard to beat in a sprint finish.

Alex Manly

The little South Australian climber is ready to pounce. Second in the junior race in 2013 and fourth last year. Manly climbs exceptionally well and even with the race being her first as a senior don't be surprised to see her climbing with more experienced riders. 11th at the Junior World Championships last year. In the past not having a quick finish has hurt her but her sprint has improved drastically the past sixth months.

Tessa Fabry

Just missed the podium at the Australian National Championships on a much harder course. Fabry showed what she could do on a harder course and her third place finish at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race two weeks ago shows she is in even better form now.

Jenelle Crooks

A strong climber but without a fast finish will be difficult to win. Finished in the first big group at the Australian Championships and will be a contender for the under 23 classification. Expect to see Crooks try and go away on the final climbs if she is feeling good.

Kendelle Hodges

Won the bunch sprint for fifth at the Australian National Championships ahead of the likes of Lizzie Williams, Lauren Kitchen and Tiffany Cromwell. A quick finish and her ability to climb make her dangerous on this course. High5 have a number of cards to play.

Michaela Parsons

20 year old Parsons finished a strong sixth at the Tour of Bright in December last year. Only came in to the sport mid way through last year Parsons has already impressed on the climbs. A much stronger field here than we saw at the Tour of Bright.

Other names to watch: Jo Hogan, Taryn Heather, Jess Mundy, Nicole Moerig, Alexandria Nicholls and Lizzie Williams.
 
 
         
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