ROAD Nationals defending champion Luke Durbridge will be a certain starter at tomorrow’s time trial.
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The Orica-GreenEdge rider spoke with The Courier yesterday and confirmed he would return to defend his Cycling Australia Road Nationals Championships title.
“There was never any doubt (about competing/attending), just a tickle and sore throat,” Durbridge said.
Durbridge pulled out of Sunday’s Williamstown Criterium with a sore throat, but reassured people he would be ready for tomorrow’s Road Nationals time trial through Twitter.
“Don’t worry about me I’ll be there on the start line of the tt. ;). ready to go !!”, the post read.
The 22-year-old visited the Burrumbeet time trial track yesterday and went for a ride with the GreenEdge team.
“I like it (the course); it’s a nice dead road and a grind away course. It’s really windy and has really suited me in the past,” Durbridge said.
“There’s a few lumps in it, a few hills and nothing too drastic, the last 10 to 15 kilometres will test you.
“The guys who have done the work early in November and December will come out on top and do well in the last 10 to 15 kilometres.”
The dual national champion said his training regime began in November and the Road Nationals was a significant event to prepare for.
“My form is about the same as last year, on par. Last year was a good series for the team and it was a good opener for the year,” he said.
“But you never know, you can only do your best on the day. You can only give it your all and we will have to see if that’s enough.”
Durbridge out-sprinted Ballarat rider Pat Shaw in the Portarlington Criterium on Saturday after they broke-away midway through the race.
“Pat is always a good guy to have a break away with, you never know what your going to get from him so it was good to get out on top,” Durbridge said.
Durbridge said he would compete in the Tour Down Under next week and planned to compete in the Tour de France and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games later in the year.
david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au