Cycling Australia

Orica GreenEDGE’s Meyer claimed a solo victory over Victorians Steele von Hoff and Leigh Howard after the former time trial national champion spent 28 laps out on his own.

Meyer managed to gain a staggering 27 seconds on the desperate peloton despite the best efforts of domestic teams Drapac and Huon-Genesys.

“Going solo was definitely not the plan,” Meyer remarked post-race. “I would have liked some friends out there but the peloton just seemed to let me go.

“I was glad that was the last lap and I could put the hands up and celebrate.”

Having not ridden the time trial, Meyer was happy to begin his national championships campaign on a winning note.

“I looked around and saw a lot of teams swapping off trying to catch me. The fact that I was able to hold them off and keep a steady tempo gives me a lot of confidence going into Sunday’s road race,” Meyer said.

2013 will be the first time riders contest a refreshed 195.6 kilometre course at Mt Buninyong, something which Meyer said will really test competitors.

“A lot of us haven’t done that [kind of] distance in the first week of January before, so that’s going to be a real test of who’s in-form, particularly over the last few climbs.”

Silver medalist von Hoff won the bunch sprint to the line, a further 16 seconds behind Meyer to claim a spot on the podium.

“Cam Meyer was just too strong today,” lamented von Hoff. “There were two teams on the front trying to work and pull it back, but Cameron just kept gaining seconds every lap.

“Orica GreenEDGE were sitting in and just letting their man fly and so they should have.

“On the final lap I sat on GreenEDGE’s lead out. I knew it was a long sprint and I timed the finish well to get second place,” the Garmin Sharpe rider explained.

Von Hoff will contest the road race with teammate and time trial silver medalist Rohan Dennis.

“I would love the National Championship road race jersey. I finished sixth last year and as long as the climbing legs are good this year, I will hopefully stand a chance.

“However, Rohan Dennis is riding really well, so I may have domestique duties.”

The Mars Cycling Australia Road National Championships continue on Saturday January 12 when the women and under 23 men contest the road race at Buninyong.