Orica-GreenEdge’s national champion Simon Gerrans has the mantle of undisputed leadership of the Australian team in today’s World championship road race, but the 32-year-old is far from feeling the pressure. The Limburg course suits the Victorian better than many in the peloton and, after his recent victory in the hilly Grand Prix Québec, in Canada, he was confident ahead of today’s race.
"I tend to put a lot more pressure on myself than I think I receive from anybody outside," Gerrans told SBS Cycling Central. "But it has not affected me too much this year, the focus leading into the world championships."
Gerrans’ year started in near perfect fashion, with his first ever Australian championship win followed by overall victory in the Tour Down Under. On arrival in Europe he became the second Australian to win the Milano-Sanremo - after teammate Matt Goss the previous year - which gave him a commanding lead in the UCI WorldTour.
‘Gerro’ had a relatively quiet summer, but returned to the podium at the Clasica San Sebastian in August as he outsprinted the chasing group behind winner Luis León Sánchez. Victory in Québec, followed by fourth in the GP Montréal, proved that his form was coming back at the right time, and he knows he can perform on the Limburg course.
"My results have given me confidence,” he said, “and I know I am able to be up there with the best guys in the world and can beat them on my day."