Eight riders will take to the course in the Cootamundra Cycle Club colours including Jamin Hall and Brendan Forsyth from Coota and Wallendbeen Cyclist Ken Clark. 

Jamin and Brendan will both start in bunch eight out of 10, off 22 minutes with Jamin excited for his first ever Coota Annual. 

He joined the local cycle club in December last year and enjoyed his first competitive race in the Coota Haycarters earlier this year placing second - a great effort for his cycling debut. 

Having set a high benchmark for himself, Jamin is not taking his foot off the pedal and is hoping for a top 10 finish tomorrow. 

Not one to spruik his own chances, he says he will have his work cut out for him giving the mark he will be sent off on. 

Jamin does however have the advantage of having Brendan alongside in the same bunch to work with as well as fellow Coota Cycle Club riders Peter Harper and Kyle Williams. 

“We should be able to work together which will help,” Jamin said. 

He rates his preparation as “not fully-prepared but not far off”.

This will be the longest event Jamin has ridden in with the event 105 kilometres (closer to 107 kilometres once riders are on the road).

Since breaking his collarbone in a mountain bike event in Wagga, Brendan has not raced competitively however we hear he has been doing plenty of kilometres in the saddle and will no doubt feature in the race for first local, alongside Jamin, widely tipped to be Coota’s best hope. 

Another local rider likely to figure in the top rankings in Anthony Sleeman of Temora who rides with the Coota club.

Jamin is confident that if the local contingent of riders can be there or thereabouts come the last climb up ‘Brawlin Hill’ they will stand a good chance of finishing well. 

“The last climb should sort the pack out,” Jamin said. 

The first Coota Annual was ridden in 1955 and it continues to be considered a premier event on the local cycling calendar along with the Haycarters and the Stock Fair Cycle Classic, which is always increasing in popularity. 

The longest of the local rides it continues to attract quality fields and this year is no different.