I don't think we have any chance at points in the TT
I hope you are not right, but it is possible. However, I think that Butcher might be good enough to score points. But this thought is based on nothing because I cannot estimate how good the foreign competition is.
The number 2 of Australia, your TT-specialist Levin, is probably not good enough (yet) to score points because of his current TT skill.
I just looked into what Australia can expect of NT race 9, the hills-TT.
Hoping that the Australian TT-specialists are better there. But I don't think that is the case.
I'm even more optimistic about the flat TT than the hills TT.
Hank Kewell (Frenkie) and Owen Acree (Aurora) have the same hills-TT GV and both are way better as the other Aussies.
You can see Acree, so now you know why I think there will be no points in NT race 9.
So, let's hope there will be some points in the flat TT.
Top 10 in the ranking by countries will be very difficult to achieve this season. Positive is that it can only go better in the future.
However, Australia is 14th in the ranking ; number of cyclists per nation.
And has just the nr8 hills, the nr6 (hills)sprint and one mountain time trialist in the dream team. That is far too little at the moment.
But that can change because of good training and talent rating, and it can change in about 4 seasons and every season after that, because of new generations.
