January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Greaves will be tightly marked this year
The youth was a shock winner last year, by surprising all the vets in taking the title. He'll be marked tighter on the short course.
“If he’s there for the sprint (at the finish) you wouldn't count him out because he's one of those few riders who have that natural ability.”
The national team cycling coach added any of six to eight riders could take the title.
“It is really wide open this year,” he said. “There are a lot of people who are riding well. That race is so short that it becomes something of a lottery.”
Hopkins said that generally experience does play a role.
“There is something to be said in knowing how to race it. Being the strongest rider, or the best sprinter of the best time trialist doesn't really play here if you make the wrong move.”
He added that being named the pre-race favourite is more of a curse than a blessing here. “There is no real favourite this year. Often the favourites that are named before are the ones that falter because everybody else watches every move that they make. Everbody tries to avoid being named the favourite.”
Hopkins said that another young rider, Ricky Sousa Jnr, “has the whole package” and could be best poised to keep Greaves from repeating.
“He's riding exceptionally well and he showed when he was here earlier in the year, in spite of his young years…he has tremendous potential and potential of winning on Wednesday. You definitely have to look at him to win because he's very good on hills, he can sprint and he's in good shape. If you have to point a finger at someone who could win, unfortunately for him, you'd have to point it at him.”
Hopkins said that there are several other cyclists who will be challenging over the 12-mile course. He added that Garth Thompson is the strongest rider, Wayne Scott is probably the most determined and won in 2004.
The national cycling coach said that Grant Goudge, who is known more for his mountain biking abilities, is also a good cyclist, but has yet to prove himself on the road. Hopkins said the Sinclair Packwood Memorial race is exactly the type of race where he could make his name.
Former Marathon Derby winner Lynn Patchett is the overwhelming favourite to win the ladies race. Hopkins said it should be no contest, but if Patchett were to somehow falter to either mechanical failure to an accident then former national team members Julia Hawley and Ashley Robinson could swoop in to take the title.
“There’s nobody that’s going to touch Lynn and a lot of the men won’t” be able to keep up with her said Hopkins.[[In-content Ad]]
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