Robert Power is a young Australian rider who will have to deal with pressure all of his life. Many people see him as the next Australian Grand Tour contender after the soon-to-be retired Cadel Evans and 29 year old Richie Porte, after the 19 year old was second on GC in the Tour de l’Avenir, the U23 Tour de France, despite only being in his first year at the level.

Young Power will be riding at the WorldTour level in 2016, most likely for Orica-Greenedge, but he is riding the Tour Down Under with the UniSA team, managed by well-respected cycling coach Dave Sanders, who spoke to SBS Cycling about the talented teenager.

"You have to take a deep breath - one day at a time, one year at a time, and give them time to develop."

Speaking to the same publication, U23 coach James Victor agreed that Power is a very talented young rider who could do great things at pro level.

"We're still five to 10 years away from seeing someone like Robert, at his age, where he's going to fit into Grand Tour contention," Victor said.
 

"But if you had to pick someone out of the current crop - him, and I wouldn't discount Jack Haig either."

With Haig and Alex Edmondson going pro with Orica in 2016, and Power going pro somewhere, Australia’s future is well and truly safe. Plus, there are young riders like Caleb Ewan, Michael Hepburn, Luke Durbridge and Rohan Dennis are all youngsters already around in the pro ranks. A talented nation indeed.