Australian time trial champion feels he can do well in final test in Milano
The mission for Cameron Meyer (Garmin-Cervélo) in Tuesday’s mountain time trial between Belluno and Nevegal was to avoid the time cut. For the Australian time trial champion there are to be further targets along the road in this Giro d’Italia; in particular the final test against the clock in Milan on Sunday.
“I didn’t really like it!” he laughed to VeloNation after having finished the 12.7km climb. “It was probably not as bad as the Plan de Corones from last year, just because this was all hot-mix asphalt road and there were a few flatter sections – especially at the start – but it’s never quite nice.”
With no chance to win the stage, and the priority to save as much energy as possible, the object of the exercise was to avoid the time cut. With some exceptional climbers to follow though, this was to be no easy feat.
“I think the time gap’s 25% today,” said Meyer, “so someone like Alberto Contador’s probably going to fly up here and make it quite tough for the non-climbers.”
He eventually finished in 80th place on the stage, comfortably mid-table, conceding 3’24” to stage winner Contador.
Meyer’s season started almost perfectly, with victory in his national time trial championships followed by the overall title at the tour Down Under. Following the Tour of Oman though, he took some time away from the road, winning the World Madison championship (with HTC-Highroad’s Leigh Howard) and taking silver in the points race.
While this was less than ideal preparation for a Grand Tour, Meyer has had a positive experience in his third appearance at the Giro d’Italia.
“It’s been good,” he said. “I’ve had a few bad days; coming off the track I don’t have as many race days, as many kilometres under my legs as some of the other professionals out there, so I’ve been a bit more up and down. But compared to the previous two years I feel I’m in a lot better shape and I’m looking forward to the last week because I think a few breakaways will go, and the last time trial I’m looking forward to.”
With the white, green and gold jersey on his back as Australian time trial champion, Meyer feels that he can go well on the flat course through the city of Milan.
“Last year I was eighth in the final time trial [a rather more hilly course in Verona – ed], so I’d love to improve on eighth place and a 30-k flat time trial suits me,” he said. “So I’ll try and give it a good shot that day.”
Having suffered the relative disappointment of fifth in the stage one team time trial; with Meyer’s teammate David Millar also targeting the Milan stage, Garmin-Cervélo could well enjoy better fortune on the final day.