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The men's criterium will be a
hotly contested affair on the opening day of the 2017
Australian Road National Championships with defending champion
Caleb Ewan headlining a field that includes three former
winners. Plus former under 23 winners Scott Law, Caleb Ewan,
Chris Hamilton and Jesse Kerrison add further competition.
2016 Results
1 Caleb EWAN
2 Brenton JONES
3 Anthony GIACOPPO
4 Pat SHAW
5 Alexander EDMONDSON
6 Jackson LAW
7 Luke PARKER
8 Scott SUNDERLAND
9 Joel WALSH
10 Robbie HUCKER
Past Winners
2016 Caleb Ewan (NSW)
2015 Steele von Hoff (VIC)
2014 Steele von Hoff (VIC)
2013 Cameron Meyer (WA)
2012 Anthony Giacoppo (WA)
2011 Jonathan Cantwell (QLD)
2010 Aaron Kemps (QLD)
The Route
The 1.1km circuit is the same as previous years but is not
flat, starting with a brief rise before a descent and an
uphill final 400m to the finish at around 3%.
The Contenders
Full start list available
here.
Caleb Ewan
After winning his maiden crown last year Ewan will be looking
for number two and to further cement his status as Australia's
fastest sprinter. Ewan dominated the sprints across the
Australian summer in 2016 but with little racing in his legs
Bay Crits will be the first indicator of his form. Crashed on
stage one but with a long attack on the hard stage two signs
are promising for him. Backed by a strong but small
Orica-Scott team including his usual leadout man Mitch Docker
along with Simon Gerrans and Damien Howson.
Brenton Jones
It was a frustrating summer for Brenton Jones last year
finishing second to Caleb Ewan at three stages of the Bay
Crits and then here at Nationals. The Victorian will be eager
to change that and pull on the green and gold stripes before
heading to the UK later in the year. A quick and consistent
finisher but will need everything to go right to come out on
top.
IsoWhey Sports SwissWellness
Anthony Giacoppo
Anthony Giacoppo will be chasing his second green and gold
jersey off the back of a standout 2016 and an impressive 2017
Bay Crits. The past few years have often seen the West
Australian act as a lead out man but he returned to his
winning ways last year winning a stage of Tour of Japan, two
podiums in Europe and a number of NRS stage wins. A very quick
finisher and the uphill run to the line suits him.
Jesse Kerrison
The reigning under 23 champion will be looking to continue his
strong start to 2017. It was a quieter year for Kerrison last
year after his national title but he got off to a flying start
at the Bay Crits. Survived the crash on the final lap on stage
one to take second before an unlucky crash on day two cost him
another podium spot.
Scott Sunderland
The former track sprinter and World and Commonwealth Champion
has made a strong transition to the road and cemented his
status as one of Australia's top sprinters. Won the Shimano
Super Crit for the third time in December in a sign of his
current form. Finished eighth last year and will want to find
the podium in 2017.
Cameron Bayly
Bayly could be the dark horse for the team and is absolutely
flying at the moment. Spent much of the opening day of Bay
Crits off the front solo and it took a massive effort by
former time trial champion Luke Durbridge to start to bring
him back. With plenty of sprint options don't be surprised to
see Bayly used in a similar way to take pressure off the team.
While Kerrison, Giacoppo and Sunderland has been showing early
season form the team also have Sam Crome and Neil Van der
Ploeg as other options. Jeremy Cameron and Nathan Elliott,
Chris Harper and Robbie Hucker round out a strong team to
support their sprinters.
Scott Law
A multiple national champion and World Cup medallist on the
track Law is placing a great focus on the road in 2017. The
25-year-old has signed with US based Cylance-Incycle for this
season who have a big focus on criteriums. Raced in the US and
Canada picking up multiple wins with the NSWIS squad in 2016
before returning to Australia and shining in the sprints in
the NRS.
Steele von Hoff
The 2014 and 2015 champion will be looking to reclaim the
title but with illness over the past few weeks just makes the
task even tougher. A very quick finisher and one of the more
experienced riders in the field on the Ballarat course.
Chris Hamilton
Hamilton will be looking to pick up an early win in his first
year professional. His attacking riding earned him the under
23 title two years ago and in a field full of talented
sprinters he will likely need to execute a similar plan and
avoid a bunch sprint.
Other names to watch: Cameron Ivory, Nathan Earle, Sam Spokes,
Jay McCarthy, Lachlan Glaspool, Troy Herfoss and Ben Hill. |
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