After some great success last year our own Brenton “Bighorn” Kaitler describes the teams chances ahead of this years event.
Only a few short hours until the start of the Warby road race. A great 6amer contingent will be representing us all in B grade, consisting of:
The great ‘get-ripping-into-it-straight-out-of-the-blocks’ man, multi Giro d’Italia television-viewer, Jeff Shaw. Age may no longer be on his side but there are early reports that he may be on ‘the gear’ – new gear that is. Early season form shows strong results in all the Spring Classics and SuperTabBet has him at odds of $2.20.
An entry by one of Australia’s fastest female hurdlers’ father, Michael Shaw. (note Michael sometimes goes by nicknames of ‘Mick’ or ‘Mike’ so important to realize this to avoid confusion). Fresh from a tanning-camp in far north Qld, big things are expected from Mick, not least of which the possibility of exceeding 109.6kph down the noojee descent. Bookmakers had him at only $1.20 before the course design was altered from a descent finish to the current design. As such odds are now $5.
A dark horse has emerged in the form of multi Bathurst watcher Brad ‘The Mist’ Fogg. ‘Froggy’ as he is called by some of his inner sanctum will be one of the key contenders, particularly after his new contract has seen him move up from perennial back markers ‘BPR’ to the new ‘Triple 8 Specialized’ team, managed by Roland Dane himself. With Lowndes and Whincup alongside this should be a formidable combination. As with Mick descending is The Mists strongpoint (despite neither holding the fastest 1/20 descent time, the mark of a top class descender). It is likely the climbs may take some of the edge of Fogg’s performance. Bookmakers have him tied with Mick at $5.
US-based rider Gilmore is back in the country for a short period after completing altitude training back in his homeland. Whilst it was skiing and not cycling, many feel this should create immense benefits given the high altitude nature of today’s course (the peloton reach the dizzying heights of 400m at times). As the second youngest rider in today’s 6amer team, youth is on Gilmores side and there are early reports the route from powelltown on is already lined with thousands of local ‘ladies’ who’ve put their banjos to one side to come out and cheer their dear Gilly. Due to potential distractions, bookies have Gilly at $8. Surely a good speculative bet to make in the current environment.
The final rider being fielded by the 6amers is multi Formula 1 attendee and 4-time Tour de France viewer Big Horn. A slow start to the year with only the Nationals, Alpine Classic and Baw Baw under his belt sees Horny come in perhaps underprepared. Some are concerned that his routine of 2-3 cougars on the go is now gone with the onset of a new woman. In fact since seeing her he has only ever punctured in races, not a good sign. Key strength is getting to the race start in good time with his major weakness being urinating at inappropriate times. Providing he can keep the latter under control, Liechtenstein based bookie ‘Ve-take-all-zee-money’ is putting the horny boy at $2.19.
So who will it be?
Get out there and cheer for your favourite 6amer, or cheer for the dog they remind u of. If u can’t make it the race will be telecast live on all of the major tv networks including ACB, Severn, the None Network and channel Tin.
