Can an ACT rider win the men's elite road race?

The peloton for the men's elite road race at the Australian National Road Race reads as a whose who of the World Tour. Orica-GreenEdge dominate the entries in 2013, therefore it is going to be difficult to pick someone who is not wearing the green and blue jersey tomorrow. Organisers may want to think whether a carte blanche attitude to unlimited Orica-GreenEdge entries is in the best interests of the National titles. 

While Orica-GreenEgde riders are there in big numbers, two notable omissions that will affect ACT chances of securing a victory are Michael Rogers and Rory Sutherland.  Both are obvisously obeying team orders to skip the national champs with both riding for Team Saxo-Tinkoff Bank.

ACT will have 12 riders in the 163 rider field (including Joe Lewis as an ACT rider even though is he registered in NSW). The riders include:

18	Mathew	HAYMAN	ACT
28	Michael	MATTHEWS	ACT
30	Nathan	HAAS	ACT
70	Thomas	PALMER	ACT
80	Alastair	LOUTIT	ACT
81	Shaun	LEWIS	ACT
100	David	GILLIES	ACT
106	Marc	WILLIAMS	ACT
126	Joseph	LEWIS	NSW
147	Fabio	CALABRIA	ACT
156	Michael	CUPITT	ACT
158	Etienne	BLUMSTEIN-JONES	ACT

Mathew Hayman: The Team Sky riders great 2012 with some very good results until injury cut short his season. The Buninyong circuit probably does not suit his style. He is likely to be one of the riders that will get in an early breakaway if he is any chance of getting a win. The race will be an early hitout for the European Spring Classics.  He will be hoping to improve on last year's 18th spot and secure a top 10 position.  

Michael Matthews: Bling joined Orica-GreenEdge from Rabobank for the 2013 season.  Picked up a bronze medal in the time trial and has very good form after winning the NSW Grand Prix series.  Will be one of the riders to watch as he uses the Nationals to launch a bid to win other stage of the Tour Down Under. Podium place a strong possibility.

Matthews celebrating his bronze medal in the men's elite TT

Nathan Haas: The Garmin-Sharp is recovering from a fall in Canberra just before Christmas.  No success at the Sun Tour this year, so I cannot see him winning the National road race.  Lack of team support will mean that he will have to try to get into a breakaway.  Maybe an alliance with Hayman could help his chances.

Thomas Palmer: The Drapac rider has a great NSW Grand Prix series picking up a race win and just coming in behind Bling Matthews.  While he won an UCI event in Japan at the 1.2 UCI rated Tour de Okinawa late in 2012, the course probably does not suit him.  Likely to finish back in the peleton.

Alastair Loutit: The Team GPM-Data#3 rider is likely to support other riders in his team.  Could be a good ally of Joe Lewis.

Marc Williams:  With the field dominated by World Tour riders it will be difficult for the Budget Forklift rider to break through and claim victory. A top 30 finish would be a great result.

Joe Lewis: Will be riding for the GPM-Data#3 team and will get support from other team riders.  The course may not be be ideal for the sprinter.  Will no doubt be hoping for a top 20 finish.

Fabio Calabria:  No team support for Fabio.  He will need to form an alliance with other riders to try to nullify the Orica-GreenEdge effect.  Expect to see Fabio attack early. Will be hoping to finish in 2013 after a did not finish in 2012.

The men's race will be show live on SBS.  Check your local guides.