After being teammates on Garmin-Sharp, Nathan Haas says he is excited to be reunited with countryman Lachlan Morton are Dimension Data in 2017, saying his boom or bust teammate can be a star.

“I think having a few years back in the minors over in the States getting happy, loving racing again will stand to him,” Haas told CyclingTips. “He’s been losing the ghosts that he had when he just got lost over here, probably resenting aspects of the sport and hating racing in Europe. Now he is hungry again…it is awesome. I think we are going to see something pretty freaky from him in the next few years.”

After a successful neo-pro season where he was race leader in Utah and won a stage, as well as taking fifth in USA Pro Challenge, Morton fell away and eventually found himself racing with JellyBelly in the USA. This year, he rallied for his small squad, winning the Tour of the Gila and the Tour of Utah, the latter against WorldTour pros.

Haas admits Morton can be difficult to deal with, saying his younger Australian friend isn’t motivated by money and can switch off once things don’t go his way.

“It is all about relationships with him, building good ones. As soon as that is muddied by any sort of tactical or contractual pressure, then I think he switches off to that person. Then it is hard to get out of Lachlan what they want.”

Haas says Dimension Data has the perfect atmosphere for Morton to thrive, due to the vast amount of different nationalities and cultures on the team.

“I think for Lachie this is probably the most ideal home. It is a very hands-on team, but if you want it to be hands-off as well, as long as you are getting what you need to be getting done, the team also understands that. So I think it is a very peaceful place.”