While his team colleagues are at their second training camp, for Zak Dempster the season is already underway. At today's national championship the Australian was able sprint to eighth place. This is the first time the 25-year-old has finished within the top ten in the battle for the champion's jersey in his home country.

" I feel pretty satisfied from the race today finishing in 8th, I think I showed I have good shape from the work I've put in during the off season. Its always a hard race with 200km and around 3000m ascent and my only complaint against myself is I made a mistake hitting out too soon in the sprint for second. Other than that I climbed with the best and felt sharp as I continue to build my form toward the most important races this Spring. I have one week more preparation before I compete in Tour Down Under for the national team then I'm most looking forward to joining my real teammates for the Tours of Qatar and Oman.", said a very satisfied Zak Dempster after the race.

The new Australian champion is Luke Durbridge (Orica Greenedge). He won the race ahead of Michael Matthews (Orica Greenedge) and Steele von Hoff (Garmin Sharp). Even early on in the race, a six-man leader group broke away from the field and created an advantage of up to seven minutes. But the fast tempo took its toll on many riders, meaning only Durbridge remained and was able to pedal to the finish to claim the champion's jersey entirely unchallenged. The follower group pursued him at a distance of one minute and numbered 25 riders, of which Dempster was one.

Before the race Zak Dempster had received some good news: he has been chosen for the national squad, with which he will begin racing at the Tour Down Under (World Tour) on January 20.