Wurf back in the big time

FIVE years after putting his cycling career on hold Cameron Wurf will return to the professional ranks in a “dream” scenario on home soil.

The Tasmanian multisport star — who has snared backto-back top-10 finishes in the World Ironman Championships at Kona — will compete in tomorrow’s Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race after signing with Team Ineos.

Wurf has signed a contract with the British powerhouse (formally Team Sky) as a replacement for Vasil Kiryienka, sidelined since early last year with heart problems.

“I could never have scripted this, to be able to come home to Australia and have the first race at Cadel’s race, a guy who really took me under his wing when I first started,” Wurf told the Mercury.

“I am the biggest dreamer on the planet and no way in the world I could dream I would be in this situation.

“The group behind Team Ineos have been the backbone to my triathlon campaign, they have organised all my sponsorships and done all my coaching. I have spent a lot of time with guys on the team, particularly Chris [Froome] and Geraint [Thomas].

“Dave Brailsford [team general manager] entered the idea of me doing some races from time to time with the team but it was finding the right opportunity and timing.

“For where I was at preparing for Kona, that’s still the No.1 priority, circumstances with the team has meant a spot has opened up and it is the sort of role someone with my characteristics can fill for them.”

After improving on his ninth place at Kona in 2018 to finish fifth last year, Wurf firmly believes stepping back into the pro cycling ranks can help him take another step towards the podium later this year.

The one-day Cadel event — over 171km in Geelong — is the second event of the 2020 UCI World Tour.

“It makes logical sense to us that if I can jump into World Tour races while at the same time doing the same preparation as I would in training for an ironman, you are going to be forced to stretch yourself a bit, exert yourself a bit.

“Things I haven’t done in the last five years and that might just unlock a few extra per cent that could give me the edge to make that breakthrough in Kona that I desperately crave.

“I feel I have kept in touch with the level, I’m confident I am capable of doing the role the team will ask of me, whatever that may be.”