Tempting to get excited about Rob Hope - but I remind everyone (again!) that Rob Jebb dropped Nick Craig and other challengers year after year on the riding part of the Simon Fell climb - he's not just a runner. He was ahead before he got off the bike every year.
I'd really love to see Nick win again and form says he'd be daft to bet against. Paul Oldham's an experienced, talented and strong rider with utter class, but ultimately is my choice for second somehow. I'd love to be proven wrong in many ways because it'd be such a great thing to see Paul become 3 peaks champion in the national champs jersey.
Dave Collins or Lewis Craven 3rd. Both have talent, Lewis has less and less time to train because of his two children, but knows the race like the back of his hand.
I'll be totally wrong - my predictions always are, by the way.
