Video: Dennis credits his teammates for his national title triumph
Former Rabobank rider hoping for return to pro level after Olympics
Rohan Dennis (Jayco-AIS) has long been considered among Australia's best young riders, and he proved that tag true once again in Buninyong yesterday by picking up a brilliant victory in the Australian under 23 road race national championship.
Of course, it would be remiss to see it as individual triumph. Dennis' win was the culmination of the perfect day out from his team, Jayco-AIS, which controlled the race from the outset before launching the young Australian in a three-man break that would fight it out for the win. It's a fact Dennis readily credited when he talked to Cyclingnews at the stage finish.
"I couldn't have done anything without my teammates," said Dennis to Cyclingnews. "Pat Lane did possibly the best job I've ever seen by someone controlling the front.
"And then Calvin when I got away with him. I really can't say how much I appreciate the work those guys did."
Perhaps more impressive was the fact that he won, all while balancing a heavy program that sees him split time between road and track. He's chasing a spot in the Australian Olympic team pursuit at the London Games all while still chasing that elusive dream to go professional in Europe.
"I was happy to get picked in the first place, but I want to go there and impress some teams. This will be my last year in the under 23s so it's important to do well.
"I'd love to get a stagiaire role or something after the Olympics, assuming I get selected. I'll be keen to get back into the longer rides again after a lot of track focus. But it's going to be a big year ahead, you never want to look to far down the road."
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For now the 21-year-old was just happy to take his current success in. He joins an illustrious club of riders to have won the espoirs' title that includes Simon Clarke, Simon Gerrans, Wes Sulzberger and Jack Bobridge.
Watch the full video interview with Rohan Dennis below.
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Alex Hinds, Production Editor
Sydney, Australia
Alex Hinds is a graduate of Economics and Political Science from Sydney University. Growing up in the metropolitan area of the city he quickly became a bike junkie, dabbling in mountain and road riding. Alex raced on the road in his late teens, but with the time demands of work and university proving too much, decided not to further pursue full-time riding.
If he was going to be involved in cycling in another way the media seemed the next best bet and jumped at the opportunity to work in the Sydney office of Cyclingnews when an offer arose in early 2011.
Though the WorldTour is of course a huge point of focus throughout the year, Alex also takes a keen interest in the domestic racing scene with a view to helping foster the careers of the next generation of cycling.
When not writing for Cyclingnews Alex is a strong proponent of the awareness of cyclists on the road in Sydney having had a few close run-ins with city traffic in the past.