Orica Green Edge rider Simon Gerrans at the Herald Sun Tour Launch. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited
AUSTRALIA'S top bike riders will barely break for Christmas, with next week heralding the start of a bumper summer of cycling in Victoria and SA.
It starts with the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic in Geelong on January 2 where young gun Caleb Ewan will be out to defend his title.
Ewan became the youngest ever winner of the series this year, then went on to enjoy an outstanding under-23 season in Europe which led to a WorldTour contract with Orica-GreenEDGE.
The four-day Bay Cycling Classic also visits Portarlington and Williamstown, where Matt Goss will be looking to ignite his 2014 season after an unusually quiet couple of years since winning Milan-San Remo in 2011.
The Aussie peloton then heads to Ballarat for the national road titles from January 8 where riders will battle for the right to wear the green and gold jersey in Europe for the rest of the year.
Luke Durbridge did the double this year when he won the time trial and road race, but he faces an almighty fight to keep them next year.
Former champion Simon Gerrans yesterday became the latest rider to confirm his spot on the start line for the men's road race on January 12.
"I was really honoured to be national champion in 2012 and I really enjoyed wearing the Australian green and gold jersey throughout all the big races in Europe," Gerrans said.
"It's a race I'd love to win again. It's a course that suits me quite well because it's demanding with quite a lot of short and explosive climbing."
While the road race - which will also feature a full team of riders from new Pro Continental squad Drapac Professional Cycling - promises to deliver a showdown on Mount Buninyong, there is just as much interest in who will claim the time trial crown.
Depending on which riders nominate for the TT, Durbridge will have tough competition to retain the jersey with Michael Hepburn, Rohan Dennis, Richie Porte, Michael Matthews and Richie Porte expected to line up for a shot.
A decision on whether Cadel Evans rides the national titles is yet to be made but he would also be among the favourites.
The national championships are expected to provide Australian riders with a perfect lead-in to the Santos Tour Down Under in Adelaide on January 19.
With a new course for the opening and closing criteriums and Australia's best two Grand Tour general classification riders confirmed starters in Evans and Porte, the race is being touted as the best in years.
Drapac this week announced its team for the TDU would be led by former Saxo-Tinkoff sprinter Jonathan Cantwell and include Thomas Palmer, Travis Meyer, Will Clarke, Bernard Sulzbeger and Darren Lapthorne.
"Everyone knows Jonathan Cantwell is quick, but Drapac is taking a very balanced squad to the race," sports director Henk Vogels said.
"We'll aim to be the most attacking team and will be looking to take our opportunities wherever we can.
"Our guys won't just be waiting to come off Andre Greipel's wheel in a sprint finish. Expect Drapac to be mega-active where it counts."
The final stop for some riders before heading back to Europe is the Jayco Herald Sun Tour from February 5-9.
Orica-GreenEDGE and Garmin-Sharp - whose team is expected to feature Dennis, Nathan Haas, Lachlan Morton and Steele Von Hoff - are already confirmed for the race which starts with a twilight prologue through the Melbourne CBD.
A third WorldTour team, tipped to be Italian outfit Cannondale and include Tasmanian Cameron Wurf, is set to join them in the five-day race which finishes on Arthurs Seat.
AUSTRALIAN SUMMER OF CYCLING:
Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic - Thursday, January 2 to Sunday, January 5
Mars Road National Championships - Wednesday, January 8 to Sunday, January 12
Santos Tour Down Under - Sunday, January 19 to Sunday, January 26
Jayco Herald Sun Tour - Wednesday, February 5 to Sunday, February 9.
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