Chloe Hosking's cover is blown at the Australian road cycling championships.
One of the fiercest critics of the controversial Buninyong circuit is now rated a dark horse for the women's road race title.
There is a massive carrot dangling for the women at the end of the 104.4km, nine-lap race on the hilly circuit near Ballarat.
The winner gains automatic selection to the Australian road team for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Hosking is among several Australian sprinters who have called for the road nationals to be held at different venues, because the Buninyong circuit does not suit them.
She has made no secret of her dislike for the course.
Gene Bates of the Mitchelton Scott team notes that Hosking posted some good results late last year over tough courses in Europe.
And Hosking's data in the last few weeks on cycling's popular Strava website has caught the eye of her rivals.
"Chloe Hosking is certainly a bit of a dark horse," Bates said.
"I know she's done an altitude training camp in December and broken a few Strava titles, I've heard, this week.
"She's somebody we can't disregard ... we can't rule her out.
"It will be interesting to see how she goes."
Mitchelton Scott are again the team to watch on Sunday.
Last year, they set the race up perfectly for Katrin Garfoot, with teammate Amanda Spratt second.
Third-placed rider Lucy Kennedy has also joined Mitchelton-Scott this season.
But Garfoot, who dominated Friday's time trial, is no longer with the team.
Garfoot and Rachel Neylan, another departed Mitchelton Scott rider, loom as big threats.
Lauren Kitchen and Shara Gillow, riding together this year at French team FdJ, are also contenders.
"We're not going to walk over the field - I don't think we ever have - but more so this year," Bates said.
"There are a lot of riders in very good shape ... also given what's on offer (with Commonwealth Games selection)."
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