Scrolling through the starting list of Israel's premier tech team, it's hard to pick a podium contender for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

How can they pass Tour Down Under winner Stephen Williams or Corbin Strong, an up-and-coming 23-year-old from New Zealand? And then there's Simon Clark - third last year and second in his only appearance in the 2015 race. And of course there is George Bennett, who also finished in the top 10 last year while racing for UAE Team Emirates.

"We have a strong field, not necessarily a star-studded field, but you don't need a star-studded field to have a good finish," coach Sam Bewley told Cycling News on Thursday before the Surf Coast Classic.

"You need a well-drilled group and everyone has proven in Adelaide that they are all in really good condition.

There have been several different winning scenarios over the last few years, and the repeated climb of the Charambra, 9km from the line, is an important point of division, but there is potential for regrouping on the downhill run-in.

First held in 2015, winners of this race have been created by small group sprints, solo winners, lead combinations, or a 30 strong group charging toward the line.

Williams (who finished second on Willunga Hill and first on Mount Lofty, the final race of the Tour Down Under, to win the first World Tour race of the season overall) clearly covered the bases on the climb, which is also Bennett's forte.

And then there is Strong, who finished third in the Surf Coast Classic just after returning from illness on the Tour Down Under. Strong is the finishing card for Israel Premier Tech in case the pack dwindles, and Clark is something of a wild card.

The Australian has already proven his potential in 2023 when his plan to send Strong to the line in a sprint win didn't work and he took his own chances, finishing third on the podium.

"It's been a full summer for the Aussie, leading up to the All-Japan Championships and the Tour Down Under," Clark told Cycling News on Thursday. [But there are some fast riders like Corbin and Stevie Williams. But my primary goal is always to support them, and if something happens, as it did last year, I can challenge them for a result."

No matter what happens on Sunday, the team already has plenty of reason to be happy after their Australian trip, considering Williams' Tour Down Under win. After their victory in South Australia, there was hearty celebration. Afterwards, the team spent a relaxing few days enjoying cricket and swimming, all to recalibrate and refocus for the upcoming races.

"Hopefully we will win on Sunday. Being the team in the spotlight makes things a little trickier, but that's okay."