Harry Tanfield is among the favourites for the Commonwealth Games time trial which takes place in Australia tonight (from 1am).
The 23-year-old Canyon Eisberg star is as short as 7/2 to claim gold in the 37.8km out-and-back test from Currumbin beachfront.
Fifth in the national championship and 14th amid World Tour rivals in the Tour of Britain time trial last season, he will get his charge under way at 2.37am
Charlie Tanfield, fresh from individual pursuit glory and silver in the team pursuit on the track, will also take to the course in the colours of Team England.
The 21-year-old, who was third in the British under-23 time trial championship on the Isle of Man last summer, has been quoted at 100/1 and will roll down the ramp at 1.20am.
THE COURSE
A 37.8km out-and-back course from the picturesque Currumbin beachfront, the route runs through Tallebudgera and Currumbin Valley.
Approximately 500m (1,700ft) of climbing is included in the parcours, although, the focal point will be the ascent of Tallebudgera Connection Road.
While the main climb is little more than 500m in length, it boasts an average gradient of 12 per cent and ramps in excess of 20 per cent.
The riders will have covered more than 23km when they hit this test and can expect around two minutes of pain before the crest the summit.
As a rough guide on time, an average speed of 50kmh for the ride will stop the clock in little more than 45 minutes.
THE RIVALS
A field of 61 competitors are set to roll down the ramp in pursuit of Commonwealth Games glory tonight.
Three-times Australian under-23 time trial champion Callum Scotson, who rides for Mitchelton BikeExchange, is the hot favourite with the bookies.
Still only 21, he was fifth in the under-23 World Championship in Bergen, Norway last season and will roll down the ramp at 1.26am.
Fellow Aussie Cameron Meyer (2.41am) will also be feared. The 30-year-old, who rides for World Tour outfit Mitchelton Scott, is a three-time national champion and has also won an individual time trial at the Tour de Suisse.
Hamish Bond, national champion of New Zealand, will lead Kiwi hopes when he sets off at 1.28am. They also have James Oram in the field.
Mark Stewart and John Archibald, who was runner-up to Charlie Tanfield in the individual pursuit on the track, carry the fight for Scotland at 2.32am and 2.26am respectively.
Ian Bibby will also fly the flag for England. He is the penultimate rider off at 2.42am and will join Harry Tanfield in the road race on Saturday.
ROLL OF HONOUR
Alex Dowsett is the reigning Commonwealth Games time trial champion after clinching glory in Glasgow four years ago.
The Katusha Alpecin star, from Maldon in Essex, topped the podium ahead of Aussie Rohan Dennis and Welshman Geraint Thomas.
The title has been up for grabs five times before now, with Canadian Eric Wohlberg winning the inaugural event in 1998.
Cadel Evans, winner of the Tour de France in 2011, clinched gold in 2002 before Aussie Nathan O’Neill and Scot David Millar followed suit in 2006 and 2010 respectively.
