Confident Dennis eyes world title defence

Wednesday, 25 September 2019:

ROHAN DENNIS of Australia crosses the finish line at Pontal n Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
ROHAN DENNIS of Australia crosses the finish line at Pontal n Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.


Australian cyclist Rohan Dennis reckons he is in good shape to launch a successful defence of his world time trial title at the UCI Championships in England.

The 29-year-old Adelaide rider, who claimed the global crown last year after a stunning ride in Innsbruck, says the "good numbers" he has shown in training leading up to this year's event in Yorkshire have given him hope he is ready to "back up and win again".

"Worst case scenario it will be a podium, but if things go smoothly and I get the performance out of myself I know I really can, there is no reason why I can't win," Dennis told reporters on the eve of the championships.

Dennis hasn't raced competitively since July when he withdrew suddenly from stage 12 of the Tour de France, the day before the individual time trial.

But he insists his preparation for his title defence has raised expectations for a repeat of last year.

"It has been different lead in to a world championships than I ever had before, and at times it has been unnerving, but I have had plenty of time to get dialled in," Dennis added.

"But a good ten weeks is a good amount of time to get things ready for a 54-kilometre time trial.

"With ten weeks between races, you don't know where you are actually at and I haven't had that exact results-based preparation. So you have to go off feelings, feelings on the bike, numbers on the bike.

"And they are right up there with the best I have ever done in training, so I can't go off anything but that, but things are looking really positive.

"That's why I am quite confident that Wednesday will be good."

Also competing on the undulating 54-kilometre course from Northallerton to the Harrogate circuit will be Dennis' fellow Australian Luke Durbridge, the domestic time trial champion.






AAP