Jack Bobridge (Trek-Segafredo) went on to win the Australian National Road Race after he capitalised on a race long breakaway. Cameron Meyer came home in 2nd position on the day with Patrick Lane (Avanti) securing 3rd place.
Team Dimension Data rider Cameron Meyer.
It was on the first of 18 10.2km laps that a large group of 21 riders went clear over the Mt. Buninyong climb. Eventual race winner Bobridge was part of this escape, as too was our very own Mark Renshaw. With just over 60km raced, the peloton were already 7 minutes down on the break and Bobridge would throw caution to the wind at this point.
Bobridge would have Bernard Sulzberger (Drapac) for company as he attacked, but Sulzberger couldn’t sustain the pace for all that long and it was Bobridge vs the rest with 90km to go. The rest of the break would be reeled in over the demanding course as Orica-GreenEDGE led the chase.
The home team just didn’t have the firepower today though and eventually our Cameron Meyer and Rohan Dennis (BMC) could not wait around anymore. With the gap still over 7’00” and 35km left to go, Camo attacked the peloton as Dennis followed. Cam would shake Dennis in the run to the line, at the same time clawing back 4 minutes on the leader but it was just not possible to catch Bobridge, who took a courageous victory.
With Cameron coming home in 2nd, Patrick Lane (Avanti) crossed the line alone in 3rd after Dennis had faded while we had Nathan Haas win the small group sprint for 4th. A great start to the year by our African Team.
The race was one of the toughest we have had on that course. The heat today made it a war of attrition. I’m really happy with my silver medal. It is my first time on the podium for the road race and unfortunately the peloton gave Jack Bobridge too much of a gap to bring back. He was super strong and deserved the Australian Champions Jersey.
I felt really good riding for the first time in my Team Dimension Data kit and working with Nathan Haas and Mark Renshaw was really good. From a three man team to go and finish second and fourth is a great result and fantastic start to our Australian summer races. I am now looking forward to the Tour Down Under.
Cameron Meyer – Rider
Sorry Cameron, you will be racing in the normal team-kit this season.