Robbie McEwen completed the final professional race of his long and accomplished career in California on Sunday, as the newest generation of Australian cyclists showed another tantalising glimpse of their future potential.
The Giro is obviously the biggest race of May, but this edition of the Tour of California was arguably more important for the future of Aussie cycling, as it gave Orica-GreenEDGE a chance to expose some young riders to more stage racing at a high standard.
Orica-GreenEDGE has posted a great tribute video to McEwen on its YouTube channel, which provides some insight into the man, and shows the high regard in which he is held by his peers and the fans. (Watch below)
McEwen’s transition into a coaching and development role with Orica-GreenEDGE will ensure his own wealth of knowledge isn’t lost to the next generation.
Fortunately, McEwen leaves the Australian road sprinting stocks in much better health than he found them. We all know about Matt Goss and Mark Renshaw, but some other Australian sprinters rode very well in California: Garmin-Barracuda’s Heinrich Haussler (who managed a tidy run of second places behind sprinting phenomenon Peter Sagan), Michael Matthews (Rabobank), and Leigh Howard (Orica-GreenEDGE) were all impressive at times.
Meanwhile, two potential Australian stars of the future, Cameron Meyer and Luke Durbridge, were finishing in 11th and 18th on general classification. Their Orica-GreenEDGE team-mate, Pieter Weening, crept into the top ten courtesy of a strong ride on the pivotal seventh stage on Mount Baldy.
Considering both of the Australians were spending a lot of time on the track until very recently, their ability to (mostly) stick with the pace in the hills was a pleasant surprise.
The expectation on Meyer is high. He’s been around the pro scene since his 2009 debut with the then Garmin-Slipstream team, and at 24-years-old the time to start converting the ability he has shown on the velodrome into results at major road races is edging closer.
If that means more colourful encouragement is required from Neil Stephens in the team car, I only hope the team continues to film it.
I think Meyer deserves a place in Orica-GreenEDGE’s Tour de France team, if team balance allows it. He has ridden the Giro d’Italia three times previously, but with a new focus on the road and a bit of extra maturity, it would be interesting to see how he performed on the biggest stage if given some latitude to chase stage wins.
Durbridge, at just 21 and in his first year as an international pro, has plenty of time up his sleeve. The Tour is probably beyond him this year, but he could do some serious damage in time trials at some of the smaller races. His confidence seems high following some good results, and deservedly so.
All in all, the Tour of California was pretty successful for Orica-GreenEDGE. It’s a shame McEwen wasn’t able to have one last sprint for the line, but a man who has done it all doesn’t need sentiment to prop up his reputation.
Well done, Robbie, and enjoy your retirement.
Tim Renowden
Expert
Yeah, I agree with you, but to play devil's advocate for a second: Sky is in a similar position to GreenEDGE in that the team is designed to develop and promote British cycling, but the number of British GC contenders is actually pretty thin. The strength profile of British cycling is pretty similar to Australian: both strong in sprinting, time trialling and track, but relatively weak in terms of accomplished climbers once you get past Wiggins and Evans. I can definitely see a scenario where Sky's British GC contingent crashes/gets injured/retires/suffers poor form, and a foreign rider (like Porte but not necessarily him) becomes de facto captain in a grand tour. Agree it's a long shot, though, and you'd rather he ride for a less nationally-focused team, or GreenEDGE ;) From his statements to the media Porte seems pretty happy at Sky, though.
liquorbox_
Guest
I think it will be at least 5 years, and it will be a greenEDGE rider, whether it is Meyer or they buy Porte I am unsure. I dont think Porte will ever get chance with Sky as they have stated they want a brittish yellow jersey. Even so, the odds of our best "chance" making it is very slim. I fear it will be someone we have not heard of who is not even a pro but inspired by Cadels efforts. So realistically I think it will be more like 10-15 years.
GreenEDGEFans
Guest
Great article, Tim. I think Cam Meyer's inclusion into the TdF must be afore gone conclusion :D
Tim Renowden
Expert
That's probably several articles worth of speculation! I think Richie Porte will be the next Aussie to contend for the Tour - he has a bit more time supporting Wiggins, though.
Tim Renowden
Expert
Yeah, he's an Australian citizen and rides with an Australian license, so...
Justin Curran
Guest
Tim, you mentioned some of the young up and coming Australian cycling talent. We can expect to be cheering Cadel for another couple of years in the race for GC at the TDF. But Cadel isn't getting any younger. How long will we realistically have to wait before one of these guys becomes a genuine grand tour contender?
Sean Lee
Expert
Sad to see Robbie go, but as you say, the future is looking bright!
MattyB
Guest
Still claiming Haussler as an Australian then?
Trudie B
Guest
Good article! I wonder how many of the great young Aussie cyclists you mentioned were inspired to get where they are by Robbie? What a great bloke - will certainly be missed by cycling fans.
Bones506
Roar Guru
Completely agree on Meyer. I would put him into the TDF team as the GC rider with a goal to finishing the tour. He can help out the overall goal to look for stage wins by either being put up into breaks or chasing them down. All the best Robbie. Hopefully I will get the chance to race against you on the Gold Coast later on this year or at least chase you up Tomewin.
Tim Renowden
Expert
I think Meyer probably climbs well enough to succeed in a breakaway on a medium mountain stage, but I'm not sure if he has the ability *yet* to back up day after day, which is what you need to stay high in the GC for the whole tour.
Darryl Kotyk
Roar Pro
Great article, Tim. Yes, it would have been nice to see McEwen go out with a bang at the AToC.....but he did have an impressive career and I hope to see him doing more great things for cycling in retirement.
liquorbox_
Guest
Meyer would be a good option in the TDF, I think he would be a great option to put out in breakaways. I think he would be able to have a shot at a stage victory and if he is high enough in the GC when the mountains come he would also have a shot at top 10 with a bit of luck, especially considering he is good at the time trial