Joe Cooper of Avanti became the first man from New Zealand to win the NRS title in Australia this year and he sets his 2015 objectives at a good run in the Herald Sun Tour and getting a WorldTour ride.
"It was definitely satisfying (his 2014 season ed.). I couldn't have gone too much better even if it was scripted easier for me," he said. "It was just the dream run. Maybe the nine weeks off the bike trying to heal the bones actually paid itself back in spades by being able to finish the season quite fresh, mentally fresh as well, as I hadn't been racing for a while.”
He wants to go well at the New Zealand championships, where he has a 2013 TT win, but hopes that Avanti can take home plenty of titles.
"I definitely have high motivation to do well there or help teammates do well there," he said. "The goal is to get a New Zealand title in the team and we already have the criterium title in the team with Paddy Bevin but we want to add to that and really start off the season with a bang."
Avanti are racing with a New Zealand license next season, which really pleases Cooper, as there will be plenty of Kiwis on the roster.
"It's definitely good, there are more Kiwi accents going around and it's going to be interesting to see how everyone gels together but judging from the first night of the training camp, it seemed to be pretty seamless."
After his national championships, he will target the Jayco Herald Sun Tour and a strong GC ride there.
"I'd really love to do well at the Sun Tour but first you have to be selected for it, so the first priority is selection," he said. "After that, it's go and nail the Sun Tour. I am not really sure after that, I'll have to go back to the drawing board and have a think about what I want to do. I am not 100% sure if I want to go for another NRS title because it's a massive workload to do."
Avanti have seven of their alumni in the WorldTour, and Cooper hopes his 2015 season can help to fulfill his dream and become number eight.
"I think I have at least one-or-two more years to get myself up there before I have to start thinking realistically about another pathway," he said. "I am definitely going to give it another red hot crack for another two years then I'll have to be realistic. I am not getting any younger, only getting older, so I just have to keep on pushing the pedals."
Christophe NOPPE 30 years | today |
Mohamed ALI AHMED 39 years | today |
Max JUDELSON 37 years | today |
Emanuele FORNASIER 42 years | today |
Carlos AMBROSIUS 26 years | today |
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