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This year the criteriums start
off the Australian National Championships giving the sprinters
a chance to shine on the opening day.
The Route
The circuit is the same as previous years. The 1.1km circuit
is not flat, starting with a brief rise before a descent and
an uphill final 400m to the finish at around 3%.
2014 Results
1 Caleb EWAN (NSW)
2 Robert MCCARTHY (SA) +0
3 Alex WOHLER (QLD) +0
4 Luke PARKER (VIC) +0
5 Bradley LINFIELD (WA) +0
6 Samuel WOOD (QLD) +4
7 Jack BECKINSALE (NSW) +4
8 Patrick SHARPE (NSW) +4
9 Samuel SPOKES (NSW) +4
10 Ayden TOOVEY (NSW) +6
The Contenders
Full Start List available
here
Robert-Jon McCarthy
Finished second last year to Caleb Ewan and is one of the few
people in Australia to say he has beaten Ewan in a bunch
sprint. McCarthy won the 2012 Junior Road Race title ahead of
Caleb Ewan. Last year he picked up wins in Herald Sun Tour and
An Post Ras, as well as spending time with the Jayco-AIS WTA
squad. Arguably the fastest man in the field will be looking
to go one better than last year.
Alex Edmondson
Track star Alex Edmondson heads to the road looking to add
another Australian title to his collection. 2014 saw Edmondson
claim World titles in the team and individual pursuit as well
as the Commonwealth Team Pursuit title. A regular winner in
criteriums in the NRS against elite riders. Will come in with
good form having successfully defended his omnium title in
December. Finished third behind Caleb Ewan and Steele Von Hoff
on stage three of the Bay Crits, both of whom ride in the
elite category. As one of the fastest finishers in the field expect
to see him on the podium.
Jesse Kerrison
20 year old Jesse Kerrison is fast becoming one of the top
sprinters in Australia. Took wins domestically and
internationally in 2014 including the opening stage of the
Tour of Taihu Lake and then went on to win the Tour of
Yancheng Costal Wetlands. His success has earned him a spot on
the BMC Development team in 2015. His fast finish could see
him fighting for the win against the likes of Edmondson and
McCarthy.
Luke Parker
Parker is a track and criterium specialist and a former
Austral Wheelrace winner. Spent 2014 in Europe with the
Cipollini Ale-Rime team and is still just 20. Narrowly
missed the podium last year in fourth but could easily find
himself on their this year. Parker put in a strong performance
on the opening day of the Bay Crits in very hot conditions.
Finished fourth on the stage, second in the bunch sprint.
Alistair Donohoe
2014 World Champion in the Para C5 Time Trial is strong
against the clock but also packs a very quick finish. A
regular on the podium in stages of the national road series
and winner of the 2014 Melbourne Kermese Championships. Was
flying at the Para Track Championships in December.
Jack Beckinsale
Avanti's Jack Beckinsale finished seventh last year and will
be looking to improve on that this year. With strong
contenders in the elite field Beckinsale could see Avanti
potentially walk away with both elite and under 23 titles. A
strong all rounder with a quick finish who also finished top
10 in the time trial and road race in 2014.
Daniel Fitter
Fitter steps up to the under 23 ranks from the junior level.
2014 saw him claim gold in the team pursuit at the Junior
Track World Championships and bronze in the individual.
Despite his strength coming against the clock Fitter still
packs a quick sprint. Has spent the past two weeks in Tasmania
at the Christmas Carnivals mixing it with some of the
Australia's best.
Other names to watch: Jai Hindley, Mathew Ross, Ayden Toovey,
Alex Clements, Jordan Stannus, Jesse Ewart, Bradley Heffernan,
Alex Porter, Timothy Sellar and Theo Yates. |
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