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.
KNACKERS
Guest
Watching the worlds I couldn't help thinking whether there is an Olympic sport with fewer competitive countries than track cycling . I wonder what would happen to the sport if it was dropped from the Olympics , I think it might shrink to invisiblity ( the only other summer olympic sport I put in this categoriy is Modern Pentathlon ) Of course road cycling -& mountain biking and BMX - would keep going strongly and have a strong existence without the Olympics I realise all sports want more Olympic events and places but the present selection is poor -3 events for sprinters and no tactical endurance events - which give roadies a chance for Olympic glory ( only a small group of roadies effectively have a medal chance in the 2 road events ) Of course even witout increasing the track team size ( 9 men 7 women ) you could easily have more events and more than one competitor per event Remember most cyclists at all levels are roadies ( & mountain & BMX ) and few countries do the velodrome thing ( Incidentally dare I say that I have thought that the GB approach seems reminiscent of the old DDR -east germany -approach to the Olympics - put your rescources where the medals are -not in what people actually do
Tim Renowden
Expert
Realistically the only track event Meyer could ride at the Olympics would be the team pursuit, given the reduced track programme. If he reckons he can't dedicate the specialised training time required to make that squad, then it's the road. And as talented as he is, there are a few guys ahead of him for a road race spot (Evans, Gerrans, Goss, Renshaw, O'Grady, Hayman, Haussler, Matthews....). And Rogers, Evans and Durbridge probably have the time trial spots sewn up, between them. So it would make some sense to focus on his GreenEDGE commitments and work on his development as a road professional.
liquorbox_
Guest
I wonder if his paymasters at GreenEDGE have suggested he concentrate on the TDF this year? I think the last stage is 6 days before London and as much as GreenEDGE claim to be only after one day classics this year and not a GC rider I still think that Meyer is the chosen one to be a GC rider. This years tour is meant to be great for time trialists and after Tirreno Adriatico and his time trial there I think there would be some people at his team that realise that the Australian market is really after people winning races, not stages or other titles (sprint, KOM).
Tim Renowden
Expert
Yep, the Olympic track event schedule has been neutered, and there isn't much left for the "endurance" riders. Better news for GreenEDGE though. Meyer has had a fantastic track career, let's hope he can transfer his success to the road.
liquorbox_
Guest
Good Luck to him, what a shame that the Olympics does not have every track event in its program
Daniel S
Guest
I thought that those cyclists who race both the track and road race, like Meyers and Cavindish have too higher work load, and i think Cam will be a an almost cetanty to go to the Tour this year.