Although the 2013 edition of the race lacks UCI ranking and is therefore unable to invite the WorldTour teams, another high level rider has been confirmed for the Jayco Herald Sun Tour.
Sprinter Greg Henderson will lead a New Zealand national selection in the event, going up against fellow UCI ProTeam riders Simon Gerrans, Nathan Haas, Simon Clarke, Stuart O’Grady and Matt Goss, who will all race for the Australian team.
Henderson normally works as a leadout rider for Andre Greipel but will have his own chances in the Jayco Herald Sun Tour as he will be the most senior of the Kiwi riders there.
He will be joined by Westley Gough, Josh Atkins, James Oram, Tom Scully and Mike Northey.
“Melbourne is my second home town and when I race around here I get as many ‘Hendys’ called out as anywhere else in the world,” he said, according to various sources. “I have a fairly big fan base here now so I feel like it is home and I enjoy racing in Melbourne.
“Of course the Herald Sun Tour has such a huge prestige. It has been going for so many years. It has been on and off of late, and it is a bit shorter which is unfortunate, but it is a very historic race.”
He said that he may lack some sharpness, but he’ll still race hard and has the class to pull off a decent result. “I think I will get some good legs out of it. I won’t be firing on all eight cylinders but it will put me in good stead with a week after that the nationals. Then I will be in good nick to lead out the big German [Greipel] in the Tour Down Under, which is the first big goal of the season.
The Jayco Herald Sun Tour will begin on Thursday January 3rd with a 4.8 kilometre Williamstown prologue. That will be followed by road stages to Bendigo, Healesville and the summit arrival at Arthurs Seat.
New Zealand for the Jayco Herald Sun Tour:
Greg Henderson (NZL), Josh Atkins (NZL), Mike Northey (NZL), Tom Scully (NZL), Westley Gough (NZL) and James Oram (NZL).
Race route 2013:
Prologue - Thursday, 3 January – Williamstown ITT – 4.8km
Stage 1 - Friday, 4 January - Melbourne (Sunbury) to Bendigo – 144km
Stage 2 - Saturday, 5 January - Mitchelton Winery to Healesville – 145km
Stage 3 - Sunday, 6 January – Moonah Links to Arthurs Seat – 90km