By the look of it a race to lose for Jayco`z. A strong team to support their fastest rider Matt Goss. Then two additional teams for breakaways while almost all other riders are isolated from the start.
Howard on paper the fastest alongside Goss. Matthews also appearing high due to 2 team mates with him. Nelson then the next fastest sprinter ahead of Clarce, Drapac, Meyer, Sutton, Von Hoff as outside favourites.
Yellow dominance in the field clearly.
But while Jayco`z 2&3 also tried to join the break they had no success. In the end a trio of
Lloyd (Xero)
Gillett (Grieg)
Van der Ploeg (Eddie Stobart)
Goss` team mates though with full control and hence the trio is caught with 10km to go.
4 riders ahead of Goss with 8km to go.
Durbrdige-Bobridge with a really strong engine. Then 'Dennis and O'Shea as well.
Howard apparently has won the fight for his wheel against Nelson. Then also Drapac and Meyer in a decent position.
3km and Bobridge in the lead. Only O'Shea left as well as Dennis couldn`t help a lot after his earlier chasing.
With 2km to go also Bobridge has done his job. Now it was O'Shea up to 1,3km when the sprinters behind slowly started their moves.
Goss-Howard-Nelson-Drapac-Meyer
Then also T.Meyer in the mix.
C.Meyer with the first big move. He goes the long sprint with Goss not at full speed yet. Nelson and Howard still waiting a bit while Drapac seems to not have the needed pace.
Still Meyer with Goss need to get his pace soon as also Nelson and Howard are starting their sprints.
Close one. Nelson and Howard in the front with Goss also in the mix. C.Meyer went too early while Drapac would need a big surprise now.
And it`s Nelson. The Podium Ambition rider takes the win and didn`t even need Ewan`s help. That said, having him surely gave him an advantage over Howard. But team work unfortunately for Oz didn`t give Goss the wanted jersey.
Next up the TT. Again Oz the dominant force here with Grieg though having two strong options in Howson and Dempster as well.
Last years winner Olman with outside chances as Ford and Durbridge look stronger than him.
Olman early on though shows his ambitions with a top time.
Dempster next and he is 5s down at the early check.
Howson also can`t beat him. 4th and +33s even!
One of the last starters is Ford and he is the first to beat Olman`s time.
And also Durbridge is faster. Though 4s slower than his team mate Ford.
Olman at +28, then Dempsert and Howson both +33.
Howson did a lot better in the middle sector. He had the fastest time by 1s then beating both Olman and Dempser by 1 and 15s.
But then Ford rushed to this point with Howson already in his view. Incredible 1'14 faster by the Oz rider!
Durbridge just a moment later and +10s. Not too bad seeing how all others are losing lots of time.
Howson in the finish again lost against Olman and hence a triple podium for Oz is almost secured. So only the middle part was better by the Grieg rider. His team mate Dempster another few seconds slower.
But then it was Ford coming in. Huge time 90s faster than last years winner Olman.
And also Durbridge is too far behind to really challenge him. As on all other 2 checkpoints, he is losing 5 additional seconds making it 15s in total. So the ITT jersey at least was won by Oz.
Ricki Nelson
