South African national champion Robbie Hunter has said that a growing synergy between himself and Garmin-Sharp team-mate Tyler Farrar could be a key to the latter picking up more victories in 2013.
Farrar had a somewhat frustrating season this year, being off his usual sprinting form in many events. He turned things around somewhat towards the end of the year when he won two stages of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado.
However his goal of keeping that momentum going was foiled when he crashed on stage one of the Tour of Britain and suffered a bad concussion, ending his season prematurely.
Returning to top form in 2013 is a major priority for him and putting him back on the top of the podium is one of Hunter’s big goals for the coming months.
“Next season will be interesting. Tyler and I have been working together for a few years and we are beginning to understand each other well and to know what needs to be done and when it needs to be done,” he told Sport24. “Obviously, if I manage to do things correctly, Tyler will be closer to the line and also closer to winning.”
Farrar made a complete recovery from his injury and was cleared to return to the bike in October.
Hunter has himself some big victories to his credit, including one stage win in the Tour de France plus two in the Vuelta a España. In recent years his role has shifted to more of a leadout man but he hasn’t lost his desire to win and hopes for his own opportunities in the season ahead.
“I am sure that there will be one or two opportunities for me to race to win and, when they come along, I will certainly try to make the most of them,” he said.
What’s clear is that at 35 years of age, his enthusiasm about the sport remains strong. “I have a true passion for cycling. I really enjoy being a professional cyclist,” he said. “At the moment I cannot see myself doing anything else.”
He has confirmed that his 2013 season will begin in next month’s Santos Tour Down Under, and that he plans to remain in the sport for at least four more years.