This weekend is packed with racing with the Berwick mass start on Saturday and the Surgery TT on Sunday. Saturday will see the riders tackle the Berwick circuit three time for a total of 54km, with three ascents of the infamous Berwick hill., each lap there is KOM points up for grabs. Sunday is the beginning of the Cycle Surgery time trial series beginning with a 20km TT.
Saturday's race should has the potential for some very interesting racing. Will Alex Daniels or Alex McGregor take out the KOM or will the big guns make it too hard on the flat? Although Bewrwick hill is not terrible long or steep it will take the sting out of the sprinters legs by the end of the third lap. So will it be a bunch sprint or is a break going to get away?
Once again Huricane Stockwell will be absent from racing and is sticking to his traditional approach. He is looking to get 100 miles in before heading off to an afternoon exam. Rumours are circulating that his absence from racing may be a bid to avoid post race drug testing, however this can neither be confirmed or denied. As was to be expected Stockwell would not comment on such speculation.
David Ayre is a likely candidate for a strong performance and will be looking for a strong performance. David has confirmed he would like to "pull a Cancellara" and steal the show from Jimmy Fairweather in the final sprint. The big question is will Ayre be able to hang on over the multiple ascents of Berwick hill to contest the win?
Shane Melrose has made yet another late withdrawal from racing. He cited his broken rib as the reason for is non-participation. Sources close to Melrose told us he has spent the best part of the week in a secret training camp in Invercargil. When questioned on his where abouts Melrose confirmed he was in fact in Invercargil but would not offer any further comment.
Bat wing Fairweather could pull off a third consecutive win this weekend if it comes down to a sprint. He already commands a strong lead in the points table and another win would only solidify his position as leader. However, the Bat wing will need to watch the greyhounds McGregor and Daniels carefully on Berwick.
Chris Henderson is also looking for a strong performance. It has been reported that he is highly motivated after struggling somewhat on scratch last weekend. Henderson would be a safe bet for either the KOM or outright victory.
Lastly, Steve Havard is beginning to feel the pressure of impending fatherhood. The clock is ticking and he only has six months left to notch up a much needed victory before his riding career is put on halt indefinitely. We were unable to reach Havard for comment, although rumour has it he has been out training in the secrecy of dark on the Taieri plains.
Unofficial Otago Cycling TAB Odds
Batwing Fairweather - $1.05
Alex McGregor - $1.45
Chris Henderson - $1.80
Alex Daniels - $2.00
David Ayre - $2.55
Steve Havard - $3.10
Jeff Notman - $3.60
Ten Men Whitley - $36.00
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Those odds are crap quite frankly. Whoever the bookmaker is for the uoc is may need to focus more on the past. David Ayre has won more A grade club race than half of you 'favourites' combined the same goes with whitley who at $36 is surely some kind of joke. These kind of odd are going to run this institution into the ground quick smart
where can I put $10 on the mighty 10 man if he's racing, I'm sensing a big payday!!
I'll put a dollar each way on Joel blowing up at the end of the second lap........
Post a Comment