Young Slovenian part of Cannondale team for upcoming race, Boivin gunning for stage win
A potential rematch is brewing between the world under 23 road race champion Matej Mohoric and the rider who finished just out of the medals, Caleb Ewan, with the former being confirmed as part of the Cannondale squad for the Jayco Herald Sun Tour.
Slovenian rider Mohoric has been named as one of the six riders who will represent the Italian WorldTour team in the upcoming event, which begins on February 5th. Also on the team are former Leopard Trek rider Geroge Bennett, the 2010 world under 23 bronze medallist Guillaume Boivin, former Austrian road race champion and past Baby Giro stage winner Matthias Krizek, Alberto Bettiol and Cameron Wurf.
Boivan is also a rider who could do something in the race. The 24 year old Canadian was third in the under 23 world championships in Geelong in 2010 and team manager Biagio Conte pinpointed him as one who could achieve a big result for the team.
“We can do a good general classification and we will try to win a stage with our sprinter Guillaume Boivin,” he said.
“We haven’t the leader [pinpointed yet]. Yes for the sprint, but the road and the race will tell who will be the [general classification] leader.
In addition to his world under 23 title, Mohoric also took the 2012 junior world title. He’s seen as a huge talent, but doesn’t want to put too much pressure on himself as he is still only 19 years of age.
“My goals for this season are not so much about results. I am very young and still need time to develop myself. So this year should be more about the learning and gaining experience,” he stated.
However if he has the chance to go for a result in Australia, he’ll seize it. “This race means a strong start of the season, so I will return back to Europe with some racing kilometres in my legs. That should make racing a bit easier.”
Ewan will join the Orica GreenEdge team later this year, but has already been mixing things up against the professionals. He won the final stage of the Bay Cycling Classic, took the Australian Under 23 championships and finished third in the People’s Choice Classic prior to the Santos Tour Down Under.
He also rode the latter event, although he didn’t place as highly in stages as he had hoped. His best showing was fifteenth on the final stage but it is clear he has the talent to do better than that.
He will be determined to try to prove that point in the Herald Sun Tour, while Mohoric – who also rode the Santos Tour Down Under – will be similarly motivated to show well.
Wurf will be able to guide the latter, having competed in the race on several occasions. “This will be my fourth Herald Sun Tour,” he said. “I have always loved coming back to race in and around Melbourne.”
“It’s a race where you need to be alert as with the varying terrain and weather, the race situation can change in the blink of an eye. You don't want to be caught out.”
The Jayco Herald Sun Tour begins on Wednesday February 5th and runs until February 9th. After finishes in Southbank, Ballarat, Bendigo and Nagambie, it will conclude with a showdown on the Arthur’s Seat climb.
Cannondale for Jayco Herald Sun Tour:
George Bennett (New Zealand)
Alberto Bettiol (Italy)
Guillaume Boivin (Canada)
Matthias Krizek (Austria)
Matej Mohoric (Slovenia)
Cameron Wurf (Australia)
Race route:
Prologue, Wednesday 5 February: Southbank, Melbourne ITT
Stage 1, Thursday 6 February: Geelong to Ballarat
Stage 2, Friday 7 February: Ballarat to Bendigo
Stage 3, Saturday 8 February: Mitchelton Winery to Nagambie
Stage 4, Sunday 9 February: Arthurs Seat, Mornington Peninsula