Algemeen Lotto Dstny starts road season with Australian championships

Caleb Ewan previews the battle for the Australian title in Buninyong.
Race 06 January 2023

This weekend at the Australian championships in Buninyong, Lotto Dstny’s colours will be seen for the first time in an official road race. On Saturday, it’s up to Cameron Rogers, newcomer at the Lotto Dstny Development Team. On Sunday, the pro riders battle for the Australian national jersey. Lotto Dstny will bring Caleb Ewan, Jarrad Drizners and Harry Sweeny at the start. Caleb Ewan’s roll of honour already includes a second (2015) and fourth (2018) place in the national title race.

“For the first time since 2020, I’m able to race again in my home country, so I am really looking forward to it. My last participation in an Australian championship dates back to 2019 so it feels great to be competing for the national jersey again this year.”

In total, the elite category will cover 16 hilly laps of almost 12 kilometres, totalling 185 race kilometres. A national championship is often a tactical race and this year will be no different according to Ewan.

“The course is pretty hard but if I am on a good day, I can compete for the win. I was already close with a second place and I conquered the U23 national jersey on the same course in 2014. It’s hard to predict how the race will unfold. Team Jayco AlUla probably holds the key. They have a strong contingent of riders and will do everything to avoid a sprint. But with Harry Sweeny and Jarrad Drizners, I also have two strong teammates. We are ready to battle”, concludes Caleb Ewan.

Australian U23 road championships, Saturday 7 January

Line-up: Cameron Rogers (Lotto Dstny Development Team)

Course: 139 kilometres, 12 local laps of 11.6 km

Start: 13h20 local time, 3h20 CET

Australian elite road championships, Sunday 8 January

Line-up: Jarrad Drizners, Caleb Ewan and Harry Sweeny.

Course: 185 kilometres, 16 local laps of 11.6 km

Start: 13h local time, 3h CET

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