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The future stars of Australian
cycling will have their first chance to shine in 2017 with the
under 23 criterium. Last years winner Jesse Kerrison has moved
to the elite ranks but podium finishers and track teammates
Sam Welsford and Dan Fitter are back and looking for the top
step. Olympic Mountain Bike representative Scott Bowden will
look to steal the show, as will the likes of Josh Harrison,
Alex Porter and Kelland O'Brien.
2016 Results
1 Jesse KERRISON
2 Sam WELSFORD
3 Daniel FITTER
4 Lachlan HOLLIDAY
5 Chris HAMILTON
6 Darcy PIROTTA
7 Ryan THOMAS
8 Michael HALE
9 Evan HULL
10 Timothy SELLAR
Past Winners
2016 Jesse Kerrison (QLD)
2015 Chris Hamilton (VIC)
2014 Caleb Ewan (NSW)
2013 Bradley Linfield (WA)
2012 Scott Law (NSW)
2011 Ben Grenda (TAS)
2010 Daniel Braunsteins (VIC)
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.
Sam Welsford
The 2016 silver medallist returns and will be chasing nothing
short of gold. Had an outstanding year in 2016 on the track
including the team pursuit world title and Olympic silver. He
then picked up where he left off winning two Oceania titles
and the Australian Madison crown. Continued his winning ways
in winning the Rosbury and Burnie criteriums in Tasmania.
Packs a very quick finish and will be tough to beat with his
current form
Daniel Fitter
Fitter looked set to claim the title last year but a
mechanical in the final sprint saw him slip to bronze. With
then teammate Jesse Kerrison moving to the elite ranks Fitter
will be looking to step on to the top of the podium this year.
A former junior world champion on the track but is yet to
start his season so his form is an unknown.
Scott Bowden
21-year-old Bowden represented Australia in the Cross-Country
at the Olympic Games last year and has been producing strong
performances on the road the past six months. Been racing at
the Tasmanian Christmas Carnival criteriums winning in a solo
break in Ulverstone after being in contention at Westbury. Not
an out and out sprinter so expect to see him on the attack.
Cameron Scott
Scott makes the step up from the junior ranks but despite not
being as experiences as a number of the other favourites Scott
could spring a surprise. A multiple medallist in sprint events
at the Junior Track World Championships the 18-year-old has a
lethal turn of speed and if he is will positioned heading in
to the finish could beat out a number of his more favoured
rivals. Finished second to Scott Law (rides in the elite race)
on a stage of the Tour of Gippsland.
Joshua Harrison
Harrison is better known for his success on the track
including a junior world title and World Cup gold but it is
his track background that gives him his quick finish. Comes in
with good form after claiming three medals at the Oceania
Championships including bronze in both the points and scratch
races.
Alex Porter
Track World Champion Alex Porter had a flying start to the
2017 season winning the team pursuit before unleashing a
blistering turn of speed to take the scratch race.
Other names to watch: Jai Hindley, Samuel Hill, Rohan Wight
and Kelland O'Brien. |
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