Australia's Dennis in the mix for opening Tour yellow

Rohan Dennis is prepared for what could be a doubly historic Tour de France race participation for the developing Australian all-rounder.

Rohan Dennis (L) with BMC team-mates Damiano Caruso and Tejay van Garderen (Sirotti) Source: Sirotti

The 25-year-old should he meet an openly stated aim of prevailing in the 13.8km time trial Grand Depart in Utrecht, The Netherlands on Saturday will also claim the first yellow jersey of the race. 

“This whole season I’ve prepared for this time trial,” Dennis told media on the eve of the race. “Every time trial I’ve gone into this year, whether I’m tired or fresh, I’ve gone 100 per cent just to learn more about my body, and things are coming along really well.” 

Dennis is one of several riders that could prevail in the opener with former time trial world champion Tony Martin (Etixx-QuickStep), Geraint Thomas (Sky), Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) and Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) among names mentioned.

“I think we are all on a pretty even playing field,” Dennis said. “It’s not super long and it’s not short and technical so we won’t have any surprises of someone who takes risks around corners and for some reason they’re not a time trial specialist but they won the stage,” he said. 

“It’s a pretty quick and free flowing course. There are a couple of corners but I think the strongest and most powerful guy on the day is going to win.” 

Dennis has studied the course in Utrecht’s city centre multiple times with only one place in mind and has taken into account searing temperatures predicted and the huge Dutch crowds expected. 

“I always look for first (place), which can be good and bad,” he said. “One day that first will come and it will be the happiest day of my life as a cyclist. Striving to be first every time I step on the bike, especially in time trials, is my main goal.” 

Dennis will also have a significant role to play in the stage nine team time trial, a discipline his BMC team are world champions in. Thereafter his focus will switch to further supporting the team’s overall contender, Tejay van Garderen in the mountains and yellow jersey bid. 

“Hopefully I can be there when it’s crunch time, and not just get dropped or help into the bottom of the climbs,” he said.

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