Cameron Meyer has been touted as a big thing ever since winning the Tour Down Under at 23. The 27-year-old Australian took some big wins at Orica-GreenEDGE, but things never got properly going due to injuries. The talented rider, who can both climb and time trial, has swapped his home team for the newly promoted to WorldTour Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka in 2016.
Meyer spoke exclusively to CyclingQuotes about how he felt his 2015 season went, his final one in a four-year stint with Australian team Orica-GreenEDGE.
“My 2015 season was one of highs and lows. I started really well in Australia and had a good win at the Herald Sun Tour. I had some solid rides at the Tour of Turkey and Tour de Suisse but couldn't quite pull off the results I wanted. Unfortunately I ended the season with a broken collarbone.”
As he mentioned earlier, Meyer won the Herald Sun Tour this year, Australia’s oldest race. coupled with his 2011 Tour Down Under victory, he joined a select club to have won both of Australia’s big races.
“To win the Herald Sun Tour and join Simon Gerrans and Stuart O'Grady as having won this race along with the Tour Down Under is pretty special. To win any race in your home country is fantastic but to win the two big ones is something I hold high.”
While his recent Twitter posts have shown Meyer riding the track lots, the Australian isn’t sticking to the boards in 2016 like former teammate Michael Hepburn is, in search of an Olympic spot. Meyer explains he is devoting all of his season to the road.
“I will devote my season entirely to the road. I love the track and try to ride the National Madison Championship each year but then once the World Tour road season begins in January I race the road for the season.”
Meyer revealed the reasons why he chose to join Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka, who, at the time his deal was signed, was not a WorldTour team. He opted for this team over other WorldTour squads and that shows a lot of confidence.
“There were many reasons as to why I was attracted to Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka, like the Qhubeka charity. The fact that they ride for a greater cause than just race wins, with providing funds and support to the Qhubeka Foundation, was something I really admired and felt inspired by. They also offered me the chance to chase some individual results and lead the team in a few one-week stage races such as the Tour Down Under and Tour of California. They had an amazing 2015 season I really feel they are taking huge steps forward and that really enticed me to be apart of it all.”
Meyer revealed the major part of his 2016 race calendar. All that is missing is if he rides the Ardennes Classics and what Grand Tours he is selected for. Meyer will surely ride a Grand Tour, having started eight in his career, as well as playing key roles in Orica wins at the Giro and Tour.
“I know a fair amount of the first half of my 2016 calendar. I will start with the Australian races being the National Championships, Tour Down Under and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Race. My main tours when I get to Europe are the Volta Catalunya, Tour of Romandie, Tour of California and then the Tour de Suisse.”
When speaking of the goals for 2016, Meyer wants another strong Aussie summer before to Europe and targeting the Tour de Suisse, where he has won two stages in the past.
“My goals for 2016 are to have good results across the Australian summer of racing. The Tour of California I would love to try for the podium in the GC. I was fifth there a few years ago and it’s a race I really like. I also would like to win a stage at the Tour de Suisse.”
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