CCS hoping to carry form into Santos Festival of Cycling

Momentum is the name of the game for Canberra-based National Road Series team CCS Cycling ahead of this week's Santos Festival of Cycling rolling off in Adelaide.

CCS enter the 2021 NRS season with an elevated status among the domestic peloton after successfully defending Brendan Johnston's lead in the NRS overall in Tweed at the back end of last year.

However, the Santos Festival of Cycling will present a new challenge for the entire NRS fraternity thanks to the return of some old faces, current Australian World Tour riders and a strong Team BikeExchange outfit for the four stages of competition.

CCS directeur sportif Matt Darling has travelled with six riders to South Australia and said he is hoping for form from December in Tweed to continue flowing.

"Based on our result from Tweed ... we'll be looking for a high overall placing for Trekky (Johnston)," he said.

"Our team goal is a top 10 general classification finish for him.

"Along the way another goal is to chase some King of the Mountain points through Reece Tucknott and Cameron Roberts by capitalising on any opportunity which presents itself."

Roberts is one of two new additions to the CCS team for 2021, with Darling stating the Goulburn-based climber compliments the team well.

"He joins us this year being a specialist climber, which is something we were missing in the team," he said.

"Kris McCreath (Canberra Cycling Club) is also a new addition - he has a BMX and mountain bike background.

"This will be a new experience for him in such a large peloton so the Santos Festival of Cycling will be all about learning for him."

Other members of the CCS team include Canberra Cycling Club members Nicholas Darling and Mackenzie Edwardson.

The team will be supported by young CCS rider Oscar Chamberlain, team manager Belinda Chamberlain and Andrew Chamberlain.

The first stage of the Santos Festival of Cycling begins on Thursday in the Barossa and concludes on Sunday with a criterium in Adelaide.

Be Safe Be Seen Stage 3 from McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill shapes as the deciding stage of the race and will pit Willunga Hill king and INEOS-Grenadiers' (riding for Team Garmin-Australia) Richie Porte against Australia's best.

This year, you will be able to catch the Santos Festival of Cycling NRS and NRSW races live streamed on 7plus.