Adam Yates has been in scintillating form in his first pro year with Orica-GreenEDGE, topping the youth classification at the Tour de San Luis, winning the Tour of Turkey and placing fifth at the Tour of California. After an encouraging start to the Criterium du Dauphine too, Yates will be one of the form men come the national road race at the end of the month.

While the parcours lacks the big climbs he has impressed on this year, both he and twin brother Simon are capable of sticking with the leading group on the undulating circuit. Simon will race having only just overcome injury but proved by winning the under-23 title last year that he is capable. The Orica-GreenEDGE duo are perfectly capable of following their team leader, Australian champion Simon Gerrans, in claiming a national road race jersey if the right circumstances come together.