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In 2014 Caleb Ewan was in a
league of his own, attacking on the climbs multiple times
before winning the sprint from the select group ahead of Rob
Power ad Bradley Linfield.
Of the three only Power returns with Ewan stepping up to the
elite ranks and Linfield not riding.
2014 Results
1 Caleb EWAN
2 Robert POWER +0
3 Bradley LINFIELD +0
4 Harry CARPENTER +0
5 Shaun O'CALLAGHAN +0
6 Thomas HAMILTON +0
7 Robert MCCARTHY +3
8 Alexander CLEMENTS +5
9 Jack BECKINSALE +5
10 Jack HAIG +9
11 Campbell FLAKEMORE +27
12 Jordan DAVIES +27
13 Conor MURTAGH +27
14 Sam CROME +27
15 Nicholas GRAHAM-DAWSON +27
Past Winners
2014 Caleb Ewan
2013 Jordan Kerby
2012 Rohan Dennis
2011 Ben Dyball
2010 Michael Hepburn
2009 Jack Bobridge
2008 Simon Clarke
2007 Wesley Sulzberger
2006 William Walker
2005 Chris Sutton
2004 Rory Sutherland
2003 Jonathan Davis
2002 Simon Gerrans
2001 Graeme Brown
2000 Andrew Stalder
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
Robert Power
Power finished a narrow second last year to Caleb Ewan. A
month later Power dominated the under 23 road race at the
Oceania Championships. Multiple wins in Europe and second at
the Tour de l'Avenir. A hillier course would be more suited to
Power but taking the win this year is well within his reach
Harry Carpenter
Second in the time trial and fourth in the road race last year
before claiming the Oceania time trial title and fourth in the
road race. Spent last season in Europe riding with the
Jayco-AIS World Tour Academy squad. Carpenter’s strength comes
against the clock but has proven to be a skilled one day
rider.
Jack Haig
The best young rider at the Tour Down Under and Herald Sun
Tour in 2014 and finished second at the Tour Alsace.
Developing in to one of the most promising general
classification riders coming out of Australia. Third in 2014
and tenth last year but with his focus now 100 percent on the
road is getting stronger every race. Just missed the time
trial podium finishing fourth. It is a sign of good form.
Alex Edmondson
Despite still being an under 23 Edmondson has been at the top
of Australian track cycling for a number of years. A regular
winner for SASI in the NRS and has spent time with Jayco-AIS
WTA. A very strong sprint and can climb reasonably well. If
the climbers cannot distance Edmondson on the climb then he
stands a very good chance of winning. Edmondson has just come
off the track and will be heading back for track nationals so
don't expect him to be on his best road form.
Chris Hamilton
Hamilton won the criterium in commanding style breaking away
and winning the two up sprint. A mountain biker who is well
suited to the course. With teammate Jack Haig in the race may
have to play a support role but Hamilton showed he is on some
great form.
Robert-jon McCarthy
McCarthy is one of the few people in Australia who can say he
has beaten Caleb Ewan in a 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. Arguably
the fastest man in the field and finished just three seconds
behind Ewan last year showing he can handle the course.
Oscar Stevenson
Stevenson finished sixth in the Oceania Championships in 2014
but injury impacted his season. One of the names to watch in
the time trial but is likely to put in a strong performance in
the road race. Won the Tour of Bright at the start of December
in no small part due to his climbing ability. Will need to
attack if he wants to beat out some of the quick finishers.
After finishing second by just four seconds in the time trial
expect Stevenson to come out firing and chase the gold.
Shaun O'Callaghan
O’Callaghan rides for the African Wildlife Safaris and the 21
year old finished seventh in the front group last year. One of
a number of riding stars of Australian cycling and a strong
performance here will further propel him up the ranks.
Jai Hindley
Hindley claimed bronze in the junior national and Oceania road
races in 2014 and earned selection for the road race at the
World Championships. A strong climber who finished in the
front group at the World Championships. Without a strong
sprint and as a first year under 23 it will be difficult but
don’t discount a strong performance.
Daniel Fitter
Silver medallist in the Junior road race last year before
claiming gold and bronze in the team and individual pursuit
respectively at the Junior Track World Championships. Since
stepping up to the elite ranks on the track Fitter has claimed
the Oceania Individual Pursuit title. Packs a quick finish
from a select group.
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.
Was flying at the Para Track Championships in December and
could be the big surprise.
Miles Scotson
Scotson won the time trial to claim his first under 23
national title. The team pursuit Track World Champion's
strength is against the clock but don't discount him from
doing the double. A quick finish makes him dangerous from a
select group. How he handles the climbs with some very strong
climbers will be interesting.
Alex Clements
Clements finished eighth last year before going on to finish
12th at the Herald Sun Tour and spending the remainder of the
season with Jayco-AIS World Tour Academy squad.
Other names to watch: Jack Beckinsale, Jesse Kerrison, Nicholas Schultz, Jack
Cummings, Mathew Ross, George Tansley, Jesse Ewart, Nicholas
Graham-Dawson, Jesse Kerrison, Luke Parker, Timothy Sellar,
Ayden Toovey, Tom Kaesler and Ryan Cavanagh. |
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