Defending champion Rohan Dennis picks Simon Gerrans as Tour Down Under favourite

Rohan Dennis believes three-time Tour Down Under winner Simon Gerrans could add another title to his tally in the upcoming Australian race.

BMC's Dennis, who won the race 12 months ago, will ride alongside Richie Porte in a two-pronged attack for the American team, and says other riders are relieving the pressure on themselves by instilling him as favourite.

Gerrans won his national tour in 2006, 2012 and 2014 and the Orica-GreenEdge rider is among the favourites in a strong lineup, which includes Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) and new Australian champion Jack Bobridge (Trek-Segafredo)

“You can’t go past Simon,’’ Dennis said, quoted on Fox Sports. “Richie is always good but he is a team-mate, Jack Bobridge was strong at the nationals and Cameron Meyer and Nathan Haas are going well.’’

Adding: “I’m not going to stand here and say I’m favourite.

“There are other riders whose form is just as good, maybe even better, and they are trying to relieve that pressure on them and put it on me.’’

>>> Rohan Dennis storms to Aussie Nationals TT victory ahead of teammate Richie Porte

An interesting tactic from Dennis - claiming other riders are relieving the pressure by putting it on him while at the same time relieving the pressure on himself by putting it on others.

Touché, Rohan.