Race report from Travis Meyer:
I awoke upon the morning of the Australian Open Road Race Championships with mixed emotions — I was nervous as I wanted to make sure I did my job well for the team, excited as it was my first ever race in the Elite Men’s Open Road Championship and honored to be representing Garmin-Transitions for the very first time.
It was going to be an extremely hot and long day in the saddle. The team plan was to get myself into the main break of the day, which would allow Jack Bobridge, Matt Wilson and my brother Cam to get the free ride until the crunch in the final two or three laps. A break of 10 riders got away in the first kilometer of the race which included myself. As the race was a war of attrition it suited me down to the ground and slowly the breakaway started to diminish. The biggest gap the peloton allowed the break was around about 7 minutes with approximately 8 laps to go. My teammates were doing a fantastic job back in the bunch waiting anxiously for the finale.
It was never in my wildest dreams that I would be in a winning position in the Australian Road Championships but when our break still had over 3 minutes with 2 laps to go I knew that we were going to stay away. I had looked after myself well during the race, taking on a bottle every lap due to the 38c degree temperatures. Coming into the final lap of the race I knew it was time to lay the hammer down as I was confident that I was the best climber and in the best condition out of the guys left of the breakaway. I attacked at the bottom of the first climb and never looked back. I knew if I could get to the top of the climb with at least 15 seconds gap I would win the bike race. I had over 20 seconds advantage at the top of the climb.
Coming into the finish line was the most amazing feeling of my life. It was something I had only dreamed about but never truly thought as a reality. I crossed the line after over four-and-a-half hours on the bike as the new Australian Road Champion. Our director Matt White was just past the finish line to congratulate me and I was so happy to finish off the job for such a great director and great team. Matt was giving me advice and encouragement every lap and it was good to know he had faith in me to follow through for the win. I also had my dad there to share this great moment with. A big thank you also to my teammates who did a perfect job to help me take my first victory as a professional.
I look forward to the season ahead with Garmin-Transitions and the honor of wearing the green and gold in my first year on the ProTour.
