Cam Meyer‘s first pro road race win could not have come in a better place, on his home soil in Australia’s biggest cycling stage, the Tour Down Under. In a race that many say is an automatic field sprint finish on every stage, he and teammate Matt Wilson defied the odds in a five-man breakaway, pushing it to the line for the win.
“It’s a great feeling to kick off the season with my first pro win and my first RR win — and to do it on front of the home crowd is great,” said Meyer.
Meyer was one of the Garmin-Cervélo riders charged with the task of making it into the breakaway on the day, and he did. Soon after, teammate Wilson bridged up to make it two Argyle among the five-rider break.
This proved to be an important tactical advantage.
“We kept the time gap in check and then put the gas down,” said Meyer. “If it was going to come back the plan was to lead Tyler out.”
“Matt knew I had the better legs and he fully committed himself to keep us away. He sat on the front for the last 1.5 km and led me out until 400 meters to go. It was a sprint for myself then and I was able to come over the top.”
With the win Meyer takes over the leader’s jersey. But with two hard stages left, including many time bonuses, it will be a hard battle to retain in.
“It’s going to be hard to keep the jersey but we are going to give it a red hot go. Tomorrow is one of the longest stages so maybe let a break go and take the time bonuses and let the sprinters’ teams bring it back. The time bonuses over the next two days will make it hard for sure.”
More photos from the Tour Down Under:
