The Australian NC ITT is long and flat, so the pure time trialists will get their chance of victory here.
Favourites seem quite obvious for today I think.
Olman is the first favourite to go. After crushing the intermediates and even overtaking his teammate O'Shea he sets the best time at 1h10m27.
Bobridge sets the new best time at the line though. He overtakes two persons before setting the new benchmark at 1h09m44.
Porte set a provisional best time at the first two checks, but went backwards after that. He limits his loss to 3 seconds at the line though. Bobridge still leads though.
Durbridge crushes all previous set times at the time checks and doesn't disappoint at the line. 1h08m57 is the new best and enough for a podium at least.
M. Ford yet again sets a new benchmark, both at the intermediates and at the line. 1h08m28 is the best time so far.
Rogers is unbeatable though. 1h07m48 is by far enough for a victory.
On a pan-flat route 43 riders have lined up for the start. Home team Oz Cycling Project doesn't bring a top favourite, but with two teams here it should nevertheless have a good shot at a nice result.
Durbridge, Howson, Lloyd, Howson and Lane form the break, which is chased by the Oz.
The chase fails to be picked up seriously and consequently the break holds 6 minutes with 20km left to ride. Another breakaway victory thus seems likely. It doesn't the take the pack long to completely stall.
With 5km left Durbridge sets off for an attack. Being the weakest sprinter of this group it does make sense. He seems to be accompagnied by Rogers, but in fact it's W. Ford who's a lap behind him.
With 3km to go Lane has joined Durbridge, and they now have 20 seconds to defend on the three chasers.
Lloyd also accelerates towards the leaders, but he might have gone too early.
With 1km to go all are reunited and it looks like a sprint will decide today's winner. Howson and Rogers seem to have the highest pace.
Howson storms into the lead...
And becomes the new Australian champion!
Apart from the escapees only Ford and Earle make it inside the time limit.
