A race with a difficult prediction and open to multiple solutions. We are talking about the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race , the second round of the World Tour in Australia.

In Geelong, in the city where Thor Hushovd became world champion in 2010, there will be the start and finish of the race which will start on the night between Saturday and Sunday, for a total of 176 km.

The route is not particularly difficult: however, you need to be in good condition to compete for the final victory. The short climb of Challambra Crescent, which will have to be tackled four times (measuring about 1 km with an average gradient of 8.9 percent) and the ascent of Wandana Heights, 1.4 km with a 5.9 percent gradient will be decisive average. Six kilometers will be missing from the 'summit', all practically downhill.

So there is the possibility that the race will be hard, perhaps thanks to the heat. Or that there is a restricted sprint at the finish line with all the best. Let's see who stood out among the protagonists at last week's Tour Down Under. The UAE Emirates presents at least three riders capable of doing well: the landlord and winner of the Down Under, Jay Vine , but also Alessandro Covi and Marc Hirschi .

Jayco AlUla responds with the 'usual' Michael Matthews , always the favorite in this type of race, but also Simon Yates , who could take advantage of the final ramps of the climb to launch the decisive attack.

We mention other names that could be useful for your training: Magnus Sheffield, Ethan Hayter and Luke Plapp of Ineos, Alberto Bettiol and Mikkel Honorè of EF, Mauro Schmid of Soudal Quick Step, Caleb Ewan of Team Australia, Corbin Strong of Israel, Hugo Page and Sven Erik Bystrom of Intermarché.

We don't know what the conditions of Jordi Meeus of the Bora are, who will be at the start after the accident and his retirement at Down Under. Curiosity to see Antonio Tiberi in action, in the top 10 of the last race on Australian soil, and the two from Bolton, one of the favorite teams of the Fantacycling team, namely Aaron Gate and James Fouchè : if you play in a league, you can try with them the surprise effect.

In the championship, the advice is not to waste changes for this category 5 race. Wait for the right moment and the next much more important races.

Photo Sprint Cycling (Dries Devenyns, winner in 2020)