Australian cycling star Cameron Meyer has officially pulled out of the track program for the London Olympics, saying he could not make the necessary commitment.
The 24-year-old, a six-time world champion on the track, will now concentrate on the vast potential of his road career rather than try to make the final team pursuit cut for the Olympics.
Until Wednesday, Meyer was still in the London shadow track team.
“It was a very hard decision to make, but ultimately my passion for the team pursuit isn’t 100 per cent,” Meyer said in a Cycling Australia statement.
There has been speculation for several months about whether Meyer would return to the team pursuit ahead of the Olympics.
He has not ridden for Australia in the event for two years.
Meyer could have been the team pursuit “X-factor” for Australia at the Olympics in their ongoing battle with Great Britain.
The Britain broke their four-year world record last week at the world championships in Melbourne to narrowly beat Australia in the team pursuit final.
“It’s always hard when you see them race and feel you want to be out there and be a part of it,” Meyer said.
“But I knew in myself I hadn’t done the workload and the training camps and the training that’s required now to be part of that.
“You need 100 per cent commitment towards that to be able to do the speeds that they’re doing and and push the gears that they are.
“I have full faith in those boys come London. I think they can win the gold medal.”
Meyer won the gold medal in the points race at the world titles with an incredible late surge and partnered Leigh Howard to finish third in the madison.
The points race and madison are no longer Olympic events.
Meyer was in the team pursuit squads that won gold in 2010 at the world titles and the Commonwealth Games.
He is also a professional road cyclist and this year Meyer is a member of the new Australian-based GreenEdge team.
Meyer has a massive future on the road and has already made his debut in the Giro d’Italia, one of world cycling’s three Grand Tours.
It is only a matter of time before he gains a Tour de France start.
He won Adelaide’s Tour Down Under last year and finished 10th overall last month at the Tirreno Adriatico stage race in Italy.
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