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2015 Australian Men's Omnium Championships
Preview |
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Two former winners Glenn O’Shea and defending champion Alex Edmondson line up for
he omnium. Don’t expect it to be just a ttwo way battle with
past Junior World Championships medallists Sam Welsford and
Tirian McManus among others who will be challenging for the
win.
Full Start List available
here
Scott Law has withdrawn due to illness.
Contenders
Alex Edmondson
Like his sister Edmondson is the defending champion and will
be looking to go back to back. When it comes to bunch races
and the individual pursuit few in Australia are able to match
him.
At the recent London World Cup Edmondson along with teammate
Callum Scotson put in a daring attack in the final laps of the
Madison indicating strong form.
Glenn O’Shea
O’Shea is not just a former Australian and Oceania Champion
but is also the 2012 World Champion. When it comes to tactical
savvy in bunch races, O’Shea is arguably the best in the
world. A strong sprint makes him dangerous and usually
performs well in the flying lap and 1km time trial as well. If
he has a weakness of late it has been the individual pursuit.
With the strength in the field O’Shea will need to be at his
best if he wants to pull on the green and gold jersey.
After spending the past year focusing on other areas expect
O’Shea to want to regain his title as he prepares for Rio
2016. Claimed silver in Guadalajara World Cup in November.
Sam Welsford
The past few months have seen Welsford step up to the elite
ranks after winning gold in the team pursuit and silver in the
omnium at the Junior Track World Championships in Korea. In
his first elite event the BikeNZ Classic in October Welsford
finished second behind Scott Law but ahead of former World
Champion Aaron Gate.
Younger than many of his competitors but despite his age has
considerable experience. Strong across the bunch races and
individual pursuit. The 1km time trial and flying 200m might
see him lose ground.
Tirian McManus
McManus returns from an injury that caused him to skip the
Guadalajara World Cup in November. Claimed bronze in the
omnium at the 2012 Junior Track World Championships. His first
big international win came at the Guadalajara World Cup in
early 2014.
With limited preparation it will be interesting to see how
McManus is going but on good form can be challenging for the
medals.
Miles Scotson
In his second year out of the junior ranks Scotson has
continued to step up and has become a regular in the Australia
team pursuit squad. After claiming bronze last year Scotson
will be looking to move on the podium this year.
Other names to watch: Mitchell Mulhern, Daniel Fitter and
Callum Scotson. |
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