Powerhouse Garth Thompson is showing no sign of nerves going into tomorrow’s Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race . . . and why should he?

At the beginning of the year he won the Winners Edge National Mountain Bike Championships, in March the IBC Front Street Race Series, and throughout the season has demonstrated that certainly riding against the clock in time trials, regarded as “the race of truth”, he’s in a class of his own.

He enters tomorrow’s 20th anniversary race a strong favourite, and despite this historically being an unwanted title, regarded as something of a jinx, it doesn’t faze the Canadian who has come close on a couple of previous occasions to lifting the coveted crown.

“That’s fine (being the favourite),” he said yesterday.

“I think May 24 is the one everyone wants to win and I’m certainly on form to put in a good show,” adding with a big smile, “I propose we make it a time trial.” Fifty other riders on the start line would likely not agree.

Thompson continued: “The challenge when you are the favourite is everyone marks your every move, so I will be like the kid that comes to the sand box that no-one wants to play with.”

Despite his confidence, a necessary ingredient for anyone wanting to win the event, Thompson knows he is not the only rider capable of taking the title.

“Certainly Ricky (Sousa) junior being the defending champion and Wayne’s experience and sprinting ability make them the two main threats, I guess. But it’s always everyone’s race to win, being so short.

“Some people who wouldn’t be a factor in a longer race can be there.

“It shows how tactical cycling is, because the strongest doesn’t always win. However, I am hoping everything works out. I have worked hard for this, it has to be a goal race because we have so few prominent races. It would be a good one to get”.

Having already taken top positions in the first two major events of the year few would bet against Thompson realising his dream.