The action hots up this weekend with the Australian Team Trials on at Newcastle. First up is the sprint at Newcastle University. By all accounts a complex area "intricate buildings and connecting pathways in a unique bush land setting interspersed with open space areas and gardens" this is as close as we get to an old European village or town centre.
The women's race has a hot centre starting at 9:26 with Jasmine Neve closely followed by fellow Australian team members Rachel Effeny and Vannessa Round (
007), then Kathryn Ewels with then Kiwi star of WOC11
Lizzie Ingham rounding out the 4 minute "flame rouge". Will they all be together at the spectator control at 9:36? Its beside the finish if you want to come and watch!! Susanne Casanova (
SusC) will probably have set the fastest time by then, finishing just in front of this pack at about 9:33 (assuming 15 minutes race time). Then it will be up to just the 4 later starters who include top-ranked runner and Easter winner Grace Crane (
GraceE) - expect her at the finish around 9:48.
The men's is similarly bunched with all the favourites in the last 10 starters from 9:39 with old fox Grant Bluett leading the charge. Action at the spectator control from 9:49 with last starter, Easter prologue winner, Matt Crane (
Craney) probably the favourite and he will finish at about 10:03.
Be there and cheer them on!
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