Q&A before Strade Bianche

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What were your thoughts of riding the TDU with a pro-team?

This year down under was completely different; in 2013 I rode with UniSA. In that team we didn't have any pressure and a particular leader, so we all had our own opportunities to show ourselves. 

With Trek this year we had a strong line up; obviously Frank Schleck arrived in Australia with ambitions to fight for the overall. Our job was to support him and give him the best opportunity to fight it out at the front, for me there was no chance to show myself in breakaways, but I knew that from the beginning and was more than happy to play a support role for a leader like Frank! 

Since the TDU what has been happening with your race program?

After TDU I went on and raced in the Herald Sun tour, it was nice to return as defending champ. Obviously defending my title didn't eventuate as Simon Clarke went on to win overall. It was a real shame for the final stage of Arthur's seat to be cancelled. This was the stage that was going to form the top 10 overall and I believed I would have been amongst the top riders there. Since returning to Europe I had raced some one day races in France. Sud Ardeche and La Drome classic. Yesterday was had GP Camaiore where the team performed strongly. Tomorrow I am very excited to be riding Strade Bianche. 

With the GP Camaiore Trek finished well and you finished in the same group as your inspiration Simon Gerrans surely that must have been rewarding?

Yesterday in Camaiore I was riding in full support of our Columbian rider Julian Arredondo and Riccardo Zoidl. Julian went onto fight for the podium and finished in 3rd. I know as far as Simon was concerned he was there to prepare for his ambitions in the Ardennse classics. 

 The Strade Bianche has become an important race on the Pro Calendar. This is your first race what is your expectations?

It's a spectacular race, and it's one of the first classics. I know a lot of the top contenders will be using this race to fine tune their form and condition for the coming classics in Belgium. I'm really excited to be riding in full support of our leader and previous winner Fabian. What my job throughout the race will be we will have to see, but I'm really excited to experience this style of race. After riding on the parcours today I know it's going to be a really tough day! 

 

Fabian winning in 2012 Courtesy RCS Sport

Courtesy RCS Sport

The “white road ” race is weather dependent, that is muddy or dusty. What weather conditions are you expecting? 

The forecast is for a clear day, so I guess we are all pretty happy about that. With the white gravel roads it will be so important to be riding good position all day, and with a leader like Fabian hopefully we will have respect within the peloton to sit at the front. 

Trek has given you many races early in the year. How are you coping?

So far so good. It's all managed very professionally. There will be a lot of racing and recovering so in that aspect there won't be huge amounts of training needed. But I've got faith in the team and trainers to support and nurture me through the long year. 

As the former champion of the Herald Sun Tour, Trek was very gracious in allowing you to race. How did this come about?

Yeah it was great that I was able to return to the Sun Tour, maybe in the next few years the race will continue to grow and the whole team will be able to be there. It wasn't a big problem for me to stay a little longer in Australia, in actual fact it worked out for the best as the weather in Europe was pretty cold and miserable.  

 Where are you basing yourself for the World Tour and why?

I will be based in the South of France. It's a great area for training and I have some close friends around for support and to train with. 

What are you future plans?

For now the plan is to move forward and continue to grow and mature throughout the next two years. I'm in great hands and I'm just excited and privilege to be in such a nice team with great leaders. I'm excited for what the future holds. 

Good Luck