#NCS Finale – Local heroes to take on Australia’s and World’s Best riders at #TrekNightRidersCrit
Two stellar fields will line up on the start line for the inaugural Trek Night Riders. The headline act is unquestionably the women’s field.
Riders from six of the teams that tore up the Santos Women’s Tour Down Under held last week will line up highlighted by reigning national champion Chloe Hosking, who claimed Stage 1 of the women’s tour, and the first international winner of the Tour in Ruth Winder (USA).
The men’s field is by no means shabby, with National Criterium Series Leader Jensen Plowright flying in for the event, along with a host of other notable riders who all will be looking to take advantage of several of the series main protagonists off racing the Tour Down Under.
About the Race
A collaboration between The Santos Tour Down Under and Cycling South Australia, the event is the final race of the Cycling Australia National Crit Series.
The crit takes in many of the roads used by the Schwalbe Classic, but with a typical CSA twist with a hairpin on the turn into the finishing straight likely to push the field to the limit. The rest of the 980m course features perfect tarmac and smooth turns and will make for some wild spectating, with food trucks, a pop-up bar, and easy access to the Tour Village and all of Adelaide’s Best restaurants.
For those in Adelaide, it’ll be perfect nights entertainment prior to heading down to Willunga on Sunday to take in the final of the 2020 Men’s Tour Down Under.
The Contenders – Women
Where to start?! Chloe Hosking has to be the hot favourite after coming off an impressive win in the National Crit which also featured a hairpin heading into the final straight. She backed this up with a dominant win in the opening stage of the Tour Down Under, finishing lengths in front of the competition. She’ll be pushed hard by a world-class field, with crow-eater Tiff Cromwell likely to take advantage of the technical course. If the Canyon//SRAM Racing riders’ quest to drop the sprinters is unsuccessful, make sure to look out for Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank’s Lauren Stephens, with the American showing considerable pace during the Women’s TDU.
Of the domestic riders, Roxsolt Attaquer’s Peta Mullens name stands out. A strong TDU performance and technical skills honed across all forms of bike racing, Mullens is destined to be able to push the world tour riders to their limits. She is also the rider in the best position to take out the National Criterium Series with current series leader Matilda Reynolds, not on the start line.
The World Tour Teams would also be unwise to discount the Australian Cycling Team’s track world champions who will be on the start line. With a number of reigning World Champions and Tokyo aspirants dual reigning World Champion (and South Australian) Alex Manly, plus Georgia Baker and Ashlee Ankudinoff.
The Contenders – Men
One name stands out on the list in Jensen Plowright. Currently leading the National Crit Series, with the riders ranked two through to five all racing the Tour Down Under he has an almost unassailable lead. He’ll be well supported by local cycling icon Tommy Chapman who will be looking forward to tip it in in front of the local crowd. Melbourne based Inform TM Insight arguably has the most depth in their roster and will be on the start line a formidable team with new signing Joshua Duffy one of the few riders in the field capable of outsprinting Plowright.
South Australia’s only domestic level cycling team, Butterfields – Insurance Advisernet p/b Van D’am Racing will be looking to give their sprinter, Tristan Saunders, a clean run to the finish with positioning around the last corner critical for those who want to win the bike race. Saunders has shown his capability on technical street circuits after he took a calculated win in the Cycling South Australia Team Series which features 5 rounds of technical urban crits. Other riders to watch out for are Nero’s Bentley Niquet-Olden and Oliver’s Real Food Racings former track sprinter Pat Constable.
On course activations commence from 5:30, with racing kicking off at 6:25 and wrapping up by 8:45. Follow the event across social media.
#TrekNightRidersCrit