New Trek Signing Calvin Watson to ride SunTour

Prendas_BannerAdvertJuly2011

Reigning champion Calvin Watson of Trek Factory Racing late inclusion for the 2014 Jayco Herald Sun Tour which starts on Wednesday.

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

Also: 2010 Giro d’Italia mountains classification winner Matthew Lloyd has been announced as another late inclusion for the 2014 Jayco Herald Sun Tour

Watson and Lloyd will line up for KordaMentha Real Estate – Team Australia. The reshuffle is the result of the withdrawal of young gun Caleb Ewan and teammate Brad Linfield from the Jayco Australian U23 National Team. Thomas Hamilton and Robert Jon McCarthy have been transferred to the younger squad paving way for the inclusion of Watson and Lloyd.

Watson created history last year, becoming the youngest ever winner of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour, taking out the 60th edition of the event on his 20th birthday with an impressive display on the final stage at Arthurs Seat.

The performance put the now 21-year-old on the map, and was a key catalyst in his signing with WorldTour outfit Trek Factory Racing where he will ride alongside the likes of Fabian Cancellara and the Schleck brothers in 2014.

Initially not fitting in the team’s racing schedule for their new recruit, Watson is thrilled with the late opportunity to defend his title. “I am excited to be back,” Watson said.

“At first when I thought that I wasn’t going to be returning I was quite disappointed. It is always nice to return to your home race as the defending champion so I am really happy to be back and am excited to get the racing underway.”

“Winning the Herald Sun Tour last year was a massive moment for me. It’s lead to me signing a professional contract with Trek Factory Racing so it’s definitely changed my life and now I have the opportunity to race in the WorldTour. That’s what you dream of doing and I’m going to make the most of the opportunity.”

“I haven’t worn number one in a race for a long time and to do it in such a quality field will be quite cool. I’m pretty unsure about my ambitions to try and defend my title. I am going to give it 110% to try and win again but realistically there are some really strong riders coming back this year.”

“Simon Gerrans and the whole GreenEDGE team is going to be really strong this year and they showed at the Tour Down Under that they are all in top condition and also guys like Nathan Haas and team Garmin Sharp – it’s a really top quality field this year so it’s not going to a walk in the park”.

Ewan Caleb Out
Having suffered two crashes in the past month, the first a training incident and second during the recent Tour Down Under, Ewan Caleb has conceded in his fight against the clock to get his body right for Australia’s oldest stage race.

“It was going to be a pretty big January if I rode the Herald Sun Tour and I want to make sure I get to Europe fresh because that’s my main goal for the season,” Ewan said. “I’m pretty tired. I had a little fall before Bay Crits and again at TDU so I think it’s better to let my body have a rest and make sure I’m all good before heading over to Europe.”

Korda Mentha Real Estate – Team Australia

Calvin WATSON AUS 21
Became the youngest ever winner of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour in 2013 when he won on his 20th birthday. Signed to WorldTour team Trek Factory racing in 2014.

Glenn O’SHEA AUS 24
2012 world omnium champion and 2012 London Olympic silver medallist (team pursuit) on the track who will use the Jayco Herald Sun Tour to prepare the 2014 world championships in Colombia.

Matthew CLARKE AUS 22
2013 Tour of Bright and Mt Buller Road Race champion. Impressed selectors at recent road national championships.

Pat SHAW AUS 27
Will provide some leadership for the team. Finished third in a stage of the 2013 Tour de Taiwan. 2010 national road series winner and a past winner at the Tour of Toowoomba, Tour of Gippsland and Tour of the Murray River.

Chris JORY AUS 26
2013 mountain classification champion at the 2013 New Zealand Cycle Classic. 2008 U23 Australian national criterium champion, Jory finished second at the 2012 Gent – Staden one-day race in 2012 and fifth in Grafton – Inverell.

Matthew LLOYD AUS 30
A strong climber, 2010 stage and mountains classification winner at the Giro d’Italia and 2008 national road race champion. Former Jayco Herald Sun Tour stage winner.

Jayco Australian U23 National Team

Harry CARPENTER AUS 20
2014 national under23 time trial silver medallist and 4th in the road race, 2nd 2013 Jarvis Subaru Adelaide Tour.

Alex CLEMENTS AUS 20
A promising young rider with an impressive climbing ability, he was selected to ride in the Australian U23 team in the Tour of Singarak in Indonesia where he finished fourth on general classification. Second GC 2011 Tour of Toowoomba & 1st under 23 – 3rd National Hill Climbing Championships GC U19 and fourth at the Mersey Valley Tour Road Race U19.

Robert POWER AUS 18
2014 national under 23 road race silver medallist, 3rd overall and 2nd in the points and mountain classifications at the 2013 Giro Internazionale della Lunigiana.

Samuel SPOKES AUS 21
Lives in Italy and rides for Etixx – a continental Omega Pharma Quickstep project. Finished sixth in the under 23 version of Liege-Bastogne-Liege , along with the overall win at the Tour de l’Eure et Loire in 2012.

Thomas HAMILTON AUS 19
Rising cyclist, who picked up junior Australian track titles. Was instrumental in the under 23 national road race and finished an impressive sixth following an active day in the saddle.

Robert Jon MCCARTHY AUS 19
Winner 2013 Boxing Day criterium in Glenelg, 2014 national under 23 criterium silver medallist. Good form in early seasons racing impressed selectors. Expected to gain valuable experience from the ride.

Jayco Herald Sun Tour
What: 61st edition of Victoria’s oldest stage race
When: Wednesday, 5 to Sunday, 9 February 2014

Course:
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

Website:
www.heraldsuntour.com.au

 

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK