Damien Howson to prove 2017 Jayco Herald Sun Tour win was no fluke
WITH all eyes on Esteban Chaves and Team Sky superstar Chris Froome, Damien Howson came from nowhere to claim a mountainous Stage 1 trek to Falls Creek solo.
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HE stunned some of the best riders in the world to win last year’s Jayco Herald Sun Tour, but Damien Howson is ready to do it again.
With all eyes on Howson’s teammate Esteban Chaves and Team Sky superstar Chris Froome, Howson came from nowhere to claim a mountainous Stage 1 trek to Falls Creek solo.
It was a lead Mitchelton-Scott’s domestique protected for the next three days to claim the biggest victory of his life, joining Froome, Sir Bradley Wiggins, Simon Gerrans and Stuart O’Grady on the honour roll.
“Of course, I want to win it again. Everyone wants to win every race they start,” Howson said.
“It was a fantastic memory from last year and if I can do it again and prove it wasn’t a fluke, that would be pretty cool.”
Howson will start his Herald Sun Tour defence in the 1.6km CBD prologue on Wednesday, before the race moves to Warrnambool, Ballarat, Mitchelton Winery, Lake Mountain and Kinglake in a race significantly tougher and 107.7km longer than last year.
But he will be surrounded by a quality WorldTour squad. Colombian climber Esteban Chaves will make his 2018 stage race debut in the Herald Sun Tour, with newly-crowned national champion Alex Edmondson, former winner Cam Meyer, rising star Lucas Hamilton, Michael Hepburn and Rob Power also in the team.
Howson said he would relish pinning on the No. 1 as the reigning champ.
“I think this will be, other than a few Oceania titles I’ve defended back in under 23s, the biggest race that I’m going into wearing the No. 1,” Howson said.
“It’s probably going to be provide a different perspective on the race as opposed to going in with just another number.”
The 218km Stage 3 slog from Mitchelton Winery and up the 14km climb to Lake Mountain is the brutal queen stage almost certain to decide the winner.
Like Falls Creek last year, Howson said it was a stage that would make the decisions for his team.
“Last year came as a bit of a surprise and like always, our team pulls out some unexpected wins from riders who maybe aren’t the favourite. Maybe this year will be no different,” he said.
“With the dynamic of the team, we’ve got so many climbers, so many versatile riders, we can play any card and take the race on the front foot.
“Obviously we’ve got Esteban here ... he’ll be looking to do well next week, I imagine.”
Originally published as Damien Howson to prove 2017 Jayco Herald Sun Tour win was no fluke