NEIL van der Ploeg will headline a strong Border contingent at the national road championships in Ballarat.
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The Avanti-IsoWhey Sport star will be one to watch on the Mount Buninyong Circuit next weekend after finishing third behind Heinrich Haussler and Caleb Ewan in January this year. Van der Ploeg looks set to join Jesse Featonby, Charly McMillan, Madeline Wright and Tim Guy in Ballarat.
Last time the cards definitely fell my way, it’s the kind of race you need a bit of luck.
- Neil van der Ploeg
He said he hoped to have a slice of luck in the 183.6-kilometre road race.
“It’s a tricky race,” the 28-year-old said.
“It’s extremely good competition, world class, really, and just the nature of the race is difficult.
“Last time the cards definitely fell my way it’s the kind of race you need a bit of luck.
“There was a bit of a head wind on the climb and that slows it down a bit.
“I could hang in there a bit more and towards the end of the race I managed to get in a bit of a breakaway.”
Haussler, of IAM Cycling, is focusing on the early-season European classics and won’t be coming back to defend his title. But two-time national winner Simon Gerrans, of Jamieson, will take some beating, and so will Tasmanian Richie Porte.
“Simon Gerrans is the favourite, for sure,” Van der Ploeg said.
“I’m hearing he’s really targeting this early part of the season.”
Van der Ploeg takes strong form into the nationals.
He took top honours at the recent Longford Kermesse and finished third in the Stan Siejka Launceston Cycling Classic.
“There’s not a lot of racing before nationals, there’s a couple of criteriums, but it’s difficult to know exactly where you’re at,” Van der Ploeg said.
“I’ve trained hard and got the weight down to a good climbing weight.”
- Continued: P30
