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Men Endurance Preview |
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World, Commonwealth, Oceania and
former Australian Champions line up to battle for the green
and gold across the men’s endurance events.
Points Race
Glenn O'Shea
O'Shea put on a performance last year to take his second
national title in the points race. One of the best tacticians
in the world. When O'Shea is flying there is few if anybody in
the world who can beat him. Strong sprint and the ability to
take laps makes him perfectly suited to the points race.
Claimed omnium silver in the first World Cup of the season in
Guadalajara and followed that up with silver at the National
Omnium Championship.
Jack Bobridge
Silver last year and was flying just unable to quite match
O'Shea. Comes in with good form having finished third in the
time trial at Nationals and winning the opening stage of the
Tour Down Under. With his hour record attempt on the final day
may chose to sit out the event this year. Winner in 2010 and
2012.
Alex Edmondson
The talented Edmondson is another former winner having taken
the title in 2013. While the majority of Edmondson's track
success has come in the individual and team pursuit Edmondson
is also strong in bunch races.
Callum Scotson
Scotson won the under 19 title last year. Another rider whose
biggest results have come against the clock in the individual
and team pursuit. Not as quick as others in the field and will
likely be looking to take laps to contend. Stepping up to the
elite ranks for the first time will be another challenger.
Scott Law
After taking a brief break from the bike Law has returned to
the top the past few years. Selected for his first World Cup
in London, since 2010. Claimed silver in the omnium in London.
Law's super fast finish sees him as a name to watch in picking
up sprint points.
Sam Welsford
Silver in the omnium at the World Championships in 2014.
Welsford is one of the rising stars of the men's endurance
program. Strong in both bunch and timed events but his sprint
will be his biggest advantage here. Just back from the Cali
World Cup.
Tirian McManus
Multiple team pursuit winner at World Cups and an omnium
victory as well. A crash ruled him out of the first World Cup
of the season in Guadalajara but bounced back in Cali. Silver
medallist at the Oceania Championships in a sign his bunch
racing skills have improved.
Other names to watch: Luke Davison, Jackson Law, Nicholas
Yallouris, Ben Harvey, Daniel Fitter, Stephen Hall and Miles
Scotson.
Individual Pursuit
Alex Edmondson
Edmondson won his first individual pursuit title last year
before going on to add a world title in the discipline in
Cali. Was a favourite to also claim the Commonwealth title but
a storming Jack Bobridge pushed him to silver. Edmondson was
flying at the National Road Championships and at the Tour Down
Under so expect him to be on top form.
Jack Bobridge
When it comes to the individual pursuit Bobridge is one of the
best of all time. 2011 World Champion, dual Commonwealth
Champion in 2010 and 2014 and a three time national champion
between 2009 and 2011. Not to forget Bobridge is the world
record holder with a time of 4:10.534, set at the 2011
National Championships. Bronze in the National Time Trial
Championships and won the opening stage of the Tour Down Under
and with his hour record attempt on the final day will be on
good form.
Daniel Fitter
Fitter steps up to the senior level after winning the under 19
national title in 2014 before claiming bronze at the World
Championships. When Fitter made his senior debut at the
Oceania Championships claimed the elite title in 4:22.745.
Might just be out of the junior ranks but don't be surprised
to see Fitter fighting for the medals.
Callum Scotson
The younger brother of Miles Scotson is a dual Junior World
Champion in the team pursuit. Silver in the under 19 IP last
year before just missing a medal behind teammate Fitter at the
Junior Worlds. Qualified fastest at the Oceania Championships
in his first event as a senior, before claiming silver.
Miles Scotson
Posted the fastest time in the individual pursuit at the
Omnium National Championships of 4:22.219. Did the under 23
time trial and road race double on the road following in the
footsteps of Rohan Dennis and Jack Bobridge. Just finished the
Tour Down Under and it is uncertain if he will ride. If
Scotson is on the start list based on recent form will be a
name to watch.
Sam Welsford
Bronze in the under 19 individual pursuit last year before he
claimed a second team pursuit world title. Welsford's strength
is generally in bunch races but has always been consistent in
the IP. At the Omnium National Championships in December
finished a narrow second but ahead of defending champion Alex
Edmondson.
Other names to watch: Alex Morgan, Alex Porter, Josh Harrison,
Mitchell Mulhern, Ben Harvey and Tirian McManus.
Scratch Race
Scott Law
Law went back to back in 2010 and 2011 and returned last year
to take a third win with a sprint that was unmatched by
anyone. Also claimed the Oceania title in October. In the
event of a bunch sprint expect to see Law power to the line.
Glenn O'Shea
Commonwealth silver medallist O'Shea also sprinted to silver
at the National Championships last year from the four that
remained in the race. Tactically is as good as if not better
than any other men's endurance rider in the world.
Alex Edmondson
A regular winner in the NRS on the road and Edmondson is just
as quick on the track. A fast sprint but considering the
strength of the field look to Edmondson to be aggressive.
Jackson Law
The younger brother of Scott who has taken a big step forward
in 2014. Claimed the Madison national title with Nicholas
Yallouris in December.
Nicholas Yallouris
Yallouris is one of the most underrated men's endurance riders
in Australia. Partnered with Jackson Law to win the Madison
national title in December. Won bronze in the scratch at the
Oceania Championships and also finished third in the scratch
race at the Omnium National Championships.
Stephen Hall
Hall rounded out the podium last year as part of the four
riders that remained. Not a well known name but spends a lot
of the year riding UCI events across Asia and America.
Other names to watch: Miles Scotson, Sam Welsford, Tirian
McManus, Ben Harvey, Joshua Harrison and Daniel Fitter.
Team Pursuit
South Australia
Have won the title the last five years and will be looking to
make it six. SASI may have lost Tim Decker as their head coach
but with Jason Niblett and Brett Aitken they have found
outstanding replacements. When South Australia can pick
between Jack Bobridge, Alex Edmondson, Glenn O'Shea, Miles
Scotson, Callum Scotson, Josh Harrison, Alex Porter and Luke
Davison it is the envy of many. Eight riders or two teams that
are not just national level quality but both capable of World
titles.
New South Wales
In the Law brothers, Tirian McManus, Nicholas Yallouris and
Benjamin Harvey New South Wales under head coach and former
World Champion Brad McGee will be challenging. It will be a
hard ask to beat South Australia but are capable of a very
strong performance.
Other states to watch: Western Australia and Victoria.
Under 19
Rohan Wight
Wight is the reigning Junior Oceania Champion in the
individual pursuit and team pursuit and also claimed silver in
the scratch race. In December Wight was on flying form to
dominate the Omnium National Championships. Very strong
against the clock and packs a strong enough sprint to also be
competitive in the bunch races.
James Robinson
Oceania team pursuit champion and silver in the individual
pursuit. A second year under 19 this year who will be a name
to watch in the timed events. Second in the individual pursuit
at Omnium Nationals in December.
Cameron Scott
One of the top riders at under 17 level both across the
endurance and sprint events. Reigning National Champion in
both the points and scratch race. Has a very quick finish and
will be a rider to watch in the bunch races.
Thomas McFarlane
Reigning under 17 National Champion in the keirin also makes
the step up to under 19’s in 2015. Claimed bronze in the
sprint and just missed a medal in the time trial.
Thomas McDonald
Oceania team pursuit champion and bronze medallist in the
individual pursuit is a contender for the individual pursuit
title.
Ryan Schilt
As well as being the under 17 national sprint champion, Schilt
is also the Oceania Champion in the points race and bronze
medallist in the omnium. Packs a very quick finish.
Other names to watch: Matthew Jackson, James Tickner, Alex
Rendell, Michael Storer, Ryan Schilt and Hayden Dicocco Grant. |
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