2013 Jayco Herald Sun Tour winner Calvin Watson back to tackle big guns Froome, Chaves in 2017

CALVIN Watson is returning to the race that launched his career, with the young Australian set to fight for another Jayco Herald Sun Tour crown.

He’s back!: Calvin Watson is back in Melbourne to take on cycling’s big guns in the race that launched his burgeoning cycling career. Picture: Norm Oorloff

CALVIN Watson is returning to the race that launched his career, with the young Australian set to fight for another Jayco Herald Sun Tour crown.

2013 Herald Sun Tour winner Calvin Watson holds the trophy aloft after winning stage 3 from Moonah Links to Arthurs Seat.

The Frankston flyer became the youngest winner in Herald Sun Tour history in 2013 when he saluted atop Arthurs Seat on his 20th birthday.

He is back with Ireland’s first Professional Continental cycling team, Aqua Blue Sport, who will make its debut in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

And Watson isn’t about to be intimidated by the likes of superstars Chris Froome and Esteban Chaves in Australia’s oldest stage race.

“I’m not just coming to Australia to ride around, I’m coming to perform and chase results and get the season off to a great start,” Watson said.

“I’ve been working really hard. I want to come to Australia and get the ball rolling well.”

Watson will always remember the 2013 Herald Sun Tour as the race that changed his life. Dropped from the Australian under 23 squad that year, the win elevated him to the World Tour and a contract with Trek Factory Racing.

“It was a massive victory for me. That kickstarted my professional career and I went on to ride with some of the biggest riders in the world on Trek which was quite an experience,” he said.

First training ride on home roads 👌🏼☀️ pic.twitter.com/p6Gd37vRHc

— Calvin Watson (@calvin_watson) December 19, 2016

“The Sun Tour holds amazing memories, it’s very fond and to think I’ve got my name on that trophy with Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Simon Gerrans; they’re the biggest names in world cycling so it’s quite an honour.

“I haven’t been there for a few years now and I believe the race has changed quite a bit since I won it as well. From looking at the profile it’s going to be a bloody hard race, but an exciting one I think.

“It’s quite amazing to see how far the race has come and I think you’ve got to take your hat off to (race director) John Trevorrow, he’s obviously worked super hard to get the race to where he believes it belongs and now all the big teams are coming down to Australia to support his race so I think it’s fantastic.”

Calvin Watson talks with teammate Lachie Norris during a stage of the Herald Sun tour.

Aqua Blue Sport is the brainchild of Monaco-based Irish businessman Rick Delaney, who built his fortune in alcohol distribution and property.

But while Delaney will fund the team initially, he plans to shift the costs to a new business he has described as the “Amazon for bikes”.

“It’s a really exciting project,” Watson said.

“To have Rick behind this project and getting it off the ground is really special. People say he’s trying to modernise cycling, but he’s trying to get the basics right and the team can snowball from there.

“Especially his idea of having the Amazon for bikes in the background which he hopes will go on to fund the team in future years.

“We’re going to basically be ambassadors for that, so the better we perform on the road hopefully that leads to success with the website. We’re all in it for the long run.”

Originally published as 2013 Jayco Herald Sun Tour winner Calvin Watson back to tackle big guns Froome, Chaves in 2017