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A look through the past winners
to see the likes of Simon Gerrans, Rohan Dennis, Will Walker,
Simon Clarke, Wes Sulzberger, Jack Bobridge, Caleb Ewan, Miles
Scotson and Chris Hamilton shows the depth of talent within
Australia over the years.
With two top 10 finishers and the mountains classification
winner at the Tour de l'Avenir, a Para-cycling world champion,
Olympic Mountain Bike representative plus a host of domestic
and track stars expect fireworks to decide who will stand on
the top step of the podium.
2016 Results
1 Chris HAMILTON
2 Lucas HAMILTON +0
3 Miles SCOTSON +15
4 Alistair DONOHOE +15
5 Michael STORER +15
6 Chris HARPER +15
7 Jai HINDLEY +17
8 Ryan CAVANAGH +1:29
9 Ben O'CONNOR +3:39
10 Jason LOWNDES +3:39
Past Winners
2016 Chris Hamilton (VIC)
2015 Miles Scotson (SA)
2014 Caleb Ewan (NSW)
2013 Jordan Kerby (QLD)
2012 Rohan Dennis (SA)
2011 Ben Dyball (NSW)
2010 Michael Hepburn (QLD)
2009 Jack Bobridge (SA)
2008 Simon Clarke (VIC)
2007 Wesley Sulzberger (TAS)
2006 William Walker (VIC)
2005 Chris Sutton (NSW)
2004 Rory Sutherland (ACT)
2003 Jonathan Davis (NSW)
2002 Simon Gerrans (VIC)
2001 Graeme Brown (NSW)
The Route
13 laps of the 10.2km course around Buninyong. The infamous
climb of Mount Buninyong Road is the main feature on each lap,
topping out after around 2.5km in to the lap.
The Contenders
Full start list available
here.
Lucas Hamilton
A silver medal in 2016 set Hamilton up for an exciting season
in Europe and one of the best ever by an Australian under 23.
Was close to the win last year only to be beaten by a quicker
Chris Hamilton in the finish. Became the first Australian to
win the mountains or any jersey at the Tour de l'Avenir last
year and nearly took a stage after battling illness early in
the race. Knowing he needs to get away to take the win expect
him to attack.
Jai Hindley
Hindley confirmed himself as one of Australia's top under 23
riders last year winning GP Capodarco, finishing second at An
Post Ras and a top 10 at the Tour de l'Avenir, where he
finished third on a key mountain stage. After seventh last
year Hindley will be hoping for much better this year. A
strong climber who also packs a strong finish from a select
group.
Michael Storer
A former medallist at the Junior World Championships, Storer
showed his all round strength in 2016 with a top 10 finish at
the Tour de l'Avenir after winning Gran Premio Sportivi di
Poggiana. After finishing fifth last year in his first year in
the category Storer will be hoping to pull on the green and
gold in 2017. A strong climber and time trialist but without a
strong sprint will need to get away solo.
Alistair Donohoe
There is not a lot Alistair Donohoe hasn't done in
Para-cycling with world titles on the track and road and
Olympic silver medals. Has ridden the under 23 road race the
last two years with bronze in 2015 and fourth last year and he
will be looking for gold this year. Has proven he can handle
the course and with a quick finish will be dangerous to bring
to the line.
Scott Bowden
Bowden represented Australia at the Rio Olympics last year in
both the Cross-Country Mountain Bike and the road race. The
21-year-old has been on of Australia's riding stars on the
dirt but is taking an increased focus on the road. Finished
14th in the road race last year after a DNF in 2015. Comes in
with good form after racing the Criterium Cup in Tasmania. Won
Ulverstone after a solo attack and was on the podium in
Rosebery. His Mountain Bike background makes it a good course
for him and from a select group the Tasmanian will be
dangerous in a sprint.
Cyrus Monk
Part of what remained of the main peloton last year Cyrus Monk
will be looking to improve on his 11th place and find the top
10 and even challenge for the podium. A strong all round rider
who can also time trial well had a strong 2016 in the National
Road Series and was the best young rider at the Tour of
Gippsland.
Ryan Cavanagh
Fourth in 2015 and eight last year will 2017 be the year
Cavanagh breaks through for a big result. The junior Oceania
Champion in 2013 will be chasing a strong showing in his final
year in the under 23 ranks as he looks towards a professional
contract.
Harry Sweeny
Harry Sweeny steps up to the under 23 ranks after an
outstanding 2016 as a junior. His real strength comes against
the clock where he claimed the Oceania and Australian tiles. A
stint of racing in Europe saw him finish third at Int.
Junioren Driedaagse van Axel and fourth at Tour des Portes du
Pays d'Othe. His first time racing at this level but the
experience will serve him well for the future.
Daniel Fitter
A world champion as a junior on the track Fitter is placing an
increased focus on the road in 2017. Now in his third year out
of the juniors and has two solid years of racing at this level
in his legs. Sixth in 2015 is his best result of the two but
will be hoping for the podium this year. Will be hard to go
with the climbers but if Fitter stays close can time trial his
way back and then unleash his sprint.
Mathew Ross
Ross splits his time between the track and the road with a
growing palmares in both. The 20-year-old has finished top 25
the past two years and will be aiming for the top 10 in 2017.
Other names to watch: Liam Magennis, Angus Lyons, Jason Lea,
Dylan Sunderland, Callum Scotson and Sam Welsford. |
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