Meyer Brothers Start 2010 with Stunning Double
The pair from Helena Valley were racing together at the five day event as part of ProTour team Garmin Transitions and brought home gold medals in the elite men’s time trial and road race, in the process bringing tears to the eyes of their father Ken.
The emotion was also evident in Travis’ response following his victory in the road race, three days after Cameron’s win in the time trial.
“My first ever road national title and to do it in my first race in elite men, it is an unbelievable feeling,” Travis said.
“I can’t quite describe what it feels like.
“To win the road race after Cam’s just won the time trial, to have two national champions in the same team and in the same family, it is just unbelievable.”
Cameron set the stage for a incredible few days for the Meyer family and the WAIS program when he took his first national time trial title, going one better than his runner up finish in 2009. The step up on the podium was one that had been in his sights since the silver medal effort 12 months prior.
“This is a real honour and something I have been targeting for months,” said the 2009 points race World Champion following his 29 second win over Queenslander John Anderson.
“Losing last year by just six seconds in my first year as an elite was tough, so this year I wanted to step up.
“It’s a special moment to get to wear the green and gold jersey over in Europe with my pro team and I might have the Giro this year so to wear it in such a prestigious event will be fantastic.”
In the road race 20-year old Travis was one of a group of riders who staged an audacious attack on the peloton on the very first lap of the 16 laps of the circuit, a break many thought would be reeled in well before the finish line. But they underestimated the impact of the extreme heat as temperatures hit close to 40 degrees with a temperature in excess of that reflecting off the bitumen and the resilience of the lead group who set a steady pace and at one stage were more than half a lap (six kilometres) ahead of the main field.
With 10 kilometres to go he launched a solo attack which clinched the green and gold jersey for 2010.
The Meyer brothers were joined on the podium in regional Victoria by fellow WAIS squad members Josie Tomic and Luke Durbridge, who collected gold and silver in their respective Under-23 time trials.
In further cycling news the overall strength of the WAIS cycling squad was confirmed when Cycling Australia named the riders selected in the Australian National Team and Team Jayco to contest next week’s fourth and final round of the UCI Track World Cup Classics being staged at Beijing’s Laoshan Velodrome.
Four WAIS riders were chosen in the two teams, with WAIS/AIS riders Luke Durbridge, Travis Meyer, Sarah Kent and Josie Tomic selected to rise in the Australian National Team while AIS/WAIS rider Scott Sunderland has been chosen to ride in the Team Jayco colours.