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2015 Australian Men's Madison Championships
Preview |
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The 2015 field is one of the
strongest seen with Madison Kings; Cameron Meyer and Leigh
Howard, World Champions in 2010 and 2011 returning to the
boards. Tho duo also claimed the National title in 2012 and
are joined by other former winners Glenn O’Shea, Jack
Bobridge, Miles Scotson as well as defending champion Alex
Edmondson.
While it is the Australian National Championships
international teams are invited to enter and can win but are
not eligible to claim the national title. Because of the added
dynamic of an already interesting event the international
teams are often given room to take laps and the overall win
while Australian pairings mark each other for the Australian
title.
Full start list available
here
Teams to Watch:
Cameron Meyer and Leigh Howard
The Madison Kings, World Champions in 2010 and 2011, silver in
2009 and bronze in 2012. For the past two years they have
focused on the road but they are back to reclaim the title
they last won in 2012. Both have also claimed National Madison
titles with other partners. Both are former team pursuit World
Champions, while Meyer has three points race World
Championship titles to his name and Howard has one in the
omnium. When it comes to the sprints or taking laps the duo
have it covered and despite not racing on the track for the
past two years they are two of the best track riders of their
generation. Expect to see them put on a show.
Glenn O’Shea and Jack Bobridge
The 2007 Champions are back together after O’Shea won in 2008
and 2010 and Bobridge in 2011 with other partners. The talent
of Bobridge on the track needs no explaining and nor O’Shea
who is one of the best Madison/Six Day riders in the world as
well as a former World Champion in the omnium. Bobridge may
have only just returned to the track but picked up gold in the
team pursuit with O’Shea at the Commonwealth Games as well as
in the individual pursuit. While both are fast finishers
expect to see them aggressive and looking to take laps.
Alex Edmondson and Miles Scotson
Edmondson is the defending National Champion having won last
year with partner Luke Davison. With Davison sitting out the
competition this year Miles Scotson joins his fellow team
pursuit World Champion for the event. Scotson himself is a
strong performer in the discipline having won in 2013 and
having finished a close second last year. A dangerous
combination, who will no doubt be a challenge the two pairings
above.
Sam Welsford and Scott Sunderland
Despite just stepping up out of the junior ranks Welsford is
already showing his potential at elite level. Welsford claimed
silver in the U19 Madison in January and fourth at the Junior
World Championships in August. Sunderland continues his switch
to endurance after successfully defending his 1km time trial
title at the Commonwealth Games. Might be less experienced
than other pairings but they should not be discounted.
Welsford is the reigning Oceania Champion with Scott Law.
Regan Gough and Luke Mudgway
The pair from New Zealand may not be eligible for the national
title but they are likely to have a big impact on the race.
Gough and Mudgway are the reigning Junior World Champions and
also won the Madison at the BikeNZ Cup. Just stepping up from
the junior ranks to a field this strong could be a challenge.
Regardless of their finishing position the experience will be
invaluable for the future.
Scott Law and Jackson Law
The Law brothers finished ninth last year but a year older and
more experienced could see them advance up the standings this
year. Both have been showing strong form on the track and in
criteriums recently. Scott teamed up with Welsford to claim
the Oceania Madison title in October, while Jackson claimed
the silver.
Callum Scotson and Dan Fitter
The pair have just stepped up to elite ranks after claiming
team pursuit gold at the Junior Track World Championships in
August. Dan Fitter was part of the Australian team that
claiming gold in the team pursuit at the Guadalajara World Cup
in November. Both are excellent pursuiters, with their best
chance likely to be trying to take laps in combination with
some of the stronger teams above.
Other teams to watch: Reece Tucknott/Michael Freiberg, Tirian
McManus/Nick Yallouris and Christian Grassman/Martin Hacecky. |
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