Far North pair tackle road race as Tour prep

JACOB GRAMS

A number of Australia’s best talents and international visitors have descended on Ballarat for the nationals since Wednesday, with the event coming to reach its climax under the shadow of Mt Buninyong.

Ingram, who lives at Cairns North, competed at the event last year but after a difficult preparation will look to play the team game for Rush Women’s Team teammate Ruth Corset.

The Townsville rider competed in the Crocodile Trophy last year and finished second in the 2016 road race at the national titles.

The 28-year-old said she hoped to make the most of the opportunity to support her team and raise her fitness after securing a guest ride in the women’s tour at the Tour Down Under.

“I’m really hoping I finish but I was here last year and I’m not as fit as I was then,” Ingram said. “To be competitive in this race you’ve got to be in best form of your life. It comes down to the survival of the fittest.”

The road race course takes riders on 10 loops of a 10.2km course, which takes riders up a steep gradient for the first 3km.

Former Cairns computer programmer and UCI Pro Tour cyclist Adam Hansen will be at the start line for the 183km men’s road race representing Belgian team Lotto – Soudal. In 2016, the two-time Crocodile Trophy winner became the first rider to complete 16 consecutive Grand Tour events.

The 35-year-old, who has twice finished second at the National Road Race Championships, will also compete at the Tour Down Under, which starts next weekend.