After what should have been a blackout year for Orica-BikeExchange neo-pro Rob Power due to his bone marrow issues, he managed to make a full recovery and get back to racing, even taking a podium in the Japan Cup.

"It was good to finish the year with a result. It has been a hard year," Power told Cyclingnews of his year and importance of Japan Cup podium. "I still have a long way to go but it gave me confidence to keep training, keep working hard and get ready for next year."

Power will train hard to get the miles in his legs this Winter back home in Australia, to make up for all of the racing he missed due to his condition.

"The plan is to get fit again and get a good base in over the summer," said Western Australian Power. "I really enjoy training in Australia so I will be trying to get some big days in and get fit for the upcoming Australian summer races."

Power says he and his team haven’t yet discussed a race program but he would love to start a Grand Tour, although knows how hard that will be with Orica targeting all three Grand Tours for GC in 2017.

"I would like to do a grand tour but it depends on how I am going and there are things in play," he said. "The guys had an unreal year this year in the grand tours so I will have to play it by ear and see how I go. I think any neo-pro would love to do a grand tour.”