Australian Correspondent
Fergal Mosley
  
  The Clash of Nations kicks off once again this weekend, with the Delhi and Beijing legs looming on the calendar. Cycling fans around the world will be hoping for a spectacle after the shambles of last season, with various teams pulling out due to administrative errors and shoddy planning as the international calendar descended into utter chaos.
  
  Australian manager Zee was optimistic when queried about his team's chances this season, pointing out that the riders had done well at the beginning of last season before things went a bit stir crazy.
  
  Team Australia will be hoping to register some strong performances in the opening two Asian stages before the Clash heads to the United States.
  
  There are plenty of new faces appearing on the provisional squads for this weekend, with the team keen to blood up and coming youngsters in a bid to rejuvenate the team ahead of future challenges.
  
   CoN Delhi
  Veteran climbers Ian Defley (Dodge) and Emrick Stinchfield (CT Indo) lead a strong Australian team to the climbs in Delhi, with the former team mates hoping to strike the opening blow for the

Green and Gold.
  
  They will be ably aided by a superb supporting cast including the likes of Zack Davie and Alvin Gusberg from pro teams Bywater CT and Siporex respectively.
  
  Debutants Marcus Haussler (Pepsi Max) and Oskar Ella (Galliano4827) will be desperate to impress, with the former being labelled as the next big thing to come out of the Australian youth cycling ranks.
  
  Haussler packs a big punch on the climbs, and will be hoping to leave his rivals trailing in his wake and fulfil his undisputed potential.
  
   CoN Beijing
  The stage in Beijing will be ideally suited to the sprinters this time, with Pink Piyama's Leslie Heaven leading the charge.
  
  Darell Swindall of ExploGen and Grayson Bankston of Team Jayco are also a chance when push comes down to shove, both of them having proven pedigree on the big occasion.
  
  Delmar Howard is one of the fresh new faces in the Australian team, but his confidence will be sky high after early season victories for his team ACS in Division 7 racing.
  
  Champing at the bit too are Enoch Voyles from the pro team Pekarna Grousplje and Casper Jill from Leukefans. The latter is nursing a calf injury but team bosses are hopeful he will recover in time for the race.