Track cycling world championships: Cameron Myer back on track in London with gold in his sights
FOUR years after his sixth and last track world championship gold medal, Australian cyclist Cameron Meyer is back in green and gold in London this week.
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FOUR years after his sixth and last world championship gold medal on the track, Australian cyclist Cameron Meyer is back in the green and gold in London this week.
The 28-year-old was a surprise inclusion in Australia’s team for the world titles which begin on Wednesday after rediscovering his motivation for racing on the velodrome over the summer.
Meyer raced the Tour Down Under with WorldTour team Dimension Data in January but it was his second place in the national madison championships with Leigh Howard in December which spiked his interest to get back on the boards seriously.
While his partner for London is yet to be announced by Cycling Australia, Meyer is confident he can come away with a medal in his first track world titles since 2012.
That year he won the points race but he has twice been world champion in the madison in 2010 and 2011.
“I always had a desire to continue on the track at some stage,” Meyer told The Advertiser.
“I did some more track training in the pre-season to get ready for the Australian summer and placed second at the Australian Madison Championship.
“This gave me the motivation and the qualifying points to put my hand up for selection at the world championships.”
Meyer comes into the championships on the back of a solid road base built over summer and an intensive track camp in Spain to get his legs up to speed.
“It’s exciting being back on the boards,” he said.
“It’s where I started (but) I’m a it nervous at the same time (as to) what the racing will be like at the worlds.
“I haven’t done as much track as most others I will go up against but I have the strength of the road and a track camp in Spain trying to find that extra speed.
“I’m confident I can be up there challenging for a medal. I know my partner will be strong and I think if we can gel together in the short time we have then you never know the win might be possible.”
Meyer hinted that this week’s world titles might not be the last he’s seen on the track with one eye on other major meets in the future.
“I think this definitely keeps my toe in the water for future major track competitions,” he said.
“The more I do the easier the transition will be back to the boards and the more chance I will have of selection.”
After London Meyer will dedicate the rest of his season to the road, racing the Tour of Catalunya and then going on an altitude camp to prepare him for his major objectives the Tour of California and Tour of Swizterland — where he is a two-time stage winner.
The track world championships begin on Wednesday night with the men’s and women’s team sprint the highlights of the program.
Anna Meares, Kaarle McCulloch and Stephanie Morton are all in contention but only two can ride the team event.
reece.homfray@news.com.au
Originally published as Track cycling world championships: Cameron Myer back on track in London with gold in his sights
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