Rohan Dennis and Richie Porte headline star field for time trial national title at Buninyong

ROHAN Dennis and Richie Porte lead the hottest field ever assembled for a time trial national championship at Buninyong today.

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ROHAN Dennis and Richie Porte lead the hottest field ever assembled for a time trial national championship at Buninyong today.

The field, which includes world champions more than 10 years apart, sees 35-year-old Michael Rogers who was the senior world champion from 2003-2005, take on current under-23 world champion in Campbell Flakemore.

There are also three other young riders who are previous under-23 time trial world champions in Luke Durbridge, Jack Bobridge and Damien Howson while Michael Hepburn is back to defend his title.

Orica-GreenEDGE director Matt White described the field as “by far and away the best field ever assembled for an Aussie time trial championship”.

“And it’s a big call, but I think there is no national time trial title anywhere in the world that would have this level of depth,” White said.

The two men who are expected to take the most catching on the undulating 40.9km course are the nation’s two most promising Grand Tour contenders in Dennis and Porte.

Porte was fourth at the world titles in 2010 and should benefit from this year’s hilly new course which finishes with a gradual climb.

Dennis was fifth at last year’s world championships and went top three in six major international time trials throughout last season including the Vuelta a Espana in August.

He was expected to be a major contender for last year’s national title but was thrown from his bike by a wind gust mid-race as Hepburn stormed to an impressive victory.

“My preparation is as good as it’s always been and I’d say probably slightly better than last year again which is a good sign,” said Dennis who had a 10-day training camp with BMC last month.

“I don’t want to jinx myself but as long as everything goes to plan, no wind gusts and no sickness, it should be a good year.

“I say as long as I do everything I can do I’ll be happy, but I won’t be happy unless I’m on that top step this year.”

Dennis said anyone in the field was capable of winning the race and he had earmarked at least four who would be major contenders.

“It’s going to be the biggest field I think we’ve had ever, having four previous under-23 time trial world champions including Flakemore who is a darkhorse, I wouldn’t put him out,” he said.

“Doing what he did at Ponferrada wasn’t easy, he came home strong and he’s not the type to go off towards the end.

“Richie is one to look out for, I think the course is a bit lumpier this year and Luke (Durbridge) and Heppy (Michael Hepburn) have been quoted as saying I’m the favourite so I know that’s one tactic of taking pressure off yourself and you can never rule those two out.”

Porte, 29, is hoping to start the year in style after his 2014 season began with third in the road race at nationals then winning the Tour Down Under’s queen stage on Willunga Hill, but was later ruined by illness.

The Team Sky rider’s last time trial victory was in 2013 when he became the first Australian to win week-long stage race Paris-Nice.

“I’ve done a lot of work on my time trial position, I went from Saxo-Bank being fourth at worlds and winning stages of Romandie in the time trial to Sky where I couldn’t time trial out of sight,” Porte said.

“Other than Col d’Eze (1st in 2013 Paris-Nice) which is on a road bike or a mountain time trial.

“But I’ve done a lot of work on that and feel much, much happier with my new position.”

The elite women’s time trial is from 12.30pm today and the men’s race is from 2.15pm.

The field, which includes world champions more than 10 years apart, sees 35-year-old Michael Rogers who was the senior world champion from 2003-2005, take on current under-23 world champion in Campbell Flakemore.

There are also three other young riders who are previous under-23 time trial world champions in Luke Durbridge, Jack Bobridge and Damien Howson while Michael Hepburn is back to defend his title.

Orica-GreenEDGE director Matt White described the field as “by far and away the best field ever assembled for an Aussie time trial championship”.

“And it’s a big call, but I think there is no national time trial title anywhere in the world that would have this level of depth,” White said.

The two men who are expected to take the most catching on the undulating 40.9km course are the nation’s two most promising Grand Tour contenders in Dennis and Porte.

Porte was fourth at the world titles in 2010 and should benefit from this year’s hilly new course which finishes with a gradual climb.

Dennis was fifth at last year’s world championships and went top three in six major international time trials throughout last season including the Vuelta a Espana in August.

He was expected to be a major contender for last year’s national title but was thrown from his bike by a wind gust mid-race as Hepburn stormed to an impressive victory.

“My preparation is as good as it’s always been and I’d say probably slightly better than last year again which is a good sign,” said Dennis who had a 10-day training camp with BMC last month.

“I don’t want to jinx myself but as long as everything goes to plan, no wind gusts and no sickness, it should be a good year.’’

Dennis said anyone in the field was capable of winning the race and he had earmarked at least four who would be major contenders.

THE CONTENDERS

Rohan Dennis (BMC)

Emerged as Australia’s best time triallist last season. Second at the Commonwealth Games, fifth at the world championships after his national time trial championship bid was ruined by a wind gust which dumped him off his bike.

Richie Porte (Sky)

Australia’s best Grand Tour prospect hoping to rebound from his 2014 season which was ruined by illness. Was fourth at the world championships in 2010 and is confident of getting back to his best TT form with a new bike position at Sky.

Michael Rogers (Tinkoff-Saxo)

Triple time trial world champion from 2003-2005, Rogers was in arguably career-best form last year when he won two stages of the Giro d’Italia and one at the Tour de France. Best TT form probably behind him but don’t discount.

Luke Durbridge (Orica-GreenEDGE)

Another two-time winner in 2012 and 2013 who took out the time trial/road race double in 2013. Ninth at the Commonwealth Games last year and finished his first Tour de France so getting stronger every year.

Michael Hepburn (Orica-GreenEDGE)

The defending champion who produced a surprise result to deny Durbridge a three-peat last year. Went on to finish the Giro d’Italia in his first full road season and was sixth at the Commonwealth Games so is in the mix again.

Jack Bobridge (Budget Forklifts)

Former under-23 time trial world champion who was fifth in the senior world championships in 2011. Has struggled for results in recent years but with a new team and plans to contest the world hour record this month could be a show.

Campbell Flakemore (BMC)

Current under-23 time trial world champion after his win in Ponferrada in Spain last year. Won the prologue at the Tour de l’Avenir and was fourth in the u/23 TT at nationals. Has signed a professional contract with BMC for this season.

Damien Howson (Orica-GreenEDGE)

Another former under-23 time trial world champion who is heading into his second season on the WorldTour with Orica-GreenEDGE. Has a big engine and was in OGE’s team time trial which won silver at the world titles.

Originally published as Rohan Dennis and Richie Porte headline star field for time trial national title at Buninyong