26 Jan 2023
Wurf joins Cadel squad to kick off 2023
Related riders
Cameron Wurf
Cameron Wurf will once again embark on a season of multi-discipline challenges as both a road rider and triathlete for the INEOS Grenadiers.
The Aussie signed a contract extension ahead of the 2023 season and will begin his year on home roads at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
Wurf will be joined by six of the seven riders who took part in Tour Down Under, with Ethan and Leo Hayter, Kim Heiduk, Luke Plapp, Magnus Sheffield and Ben Swift all making the trip to Geelong. UAE Tour is also a planned part of his early schedule, as is a trip to his training base in Los Angeles with Geraint Thomas.
For Wurf, 2023 will again be a year of racing at the highest level in two sports. Since returning to the pro peloton in 2020, the 39 year old has enjoyed helping his teammates in a support role, while going out to race hard for his own results in triathlon and Ironman competition.
On the season to come, Wurf explained: “I’m excited to have another year with the team and, for me personally, to try and piece together a season like I envisioned. That means coming back onto the roster obviously wanting to be a reliable teammate and hopefully also add a bit to the morale. Tom Pidcock calls me the “CMO” of the team: Chief Morale Officer.
“It’s about having the respect and trust of the guys of the team, if they do turn up at a race and I’m thrown into it, knowing that they believe I can do a job and contribute. I think that I’ve shown that and I’ve been part of some great successes with the team over the last few years.”
“It’s about having the respect and trust of the guys of the team, if they do turn up at a race and I’m thrown into it, knowing that they believe I can do a job and contribute. I think that I’ve shown that and I’ve been part of some great successes with the team over the last few years.”
Ironman training with Cam Wurf
Among those major successes, Wurf’s contribution to the team’s front-foot approach and eventual victory at Paris-Roubaix last season really stands out. This year Wurf’s aim is to continue to dovetail his training with select races, whilst making sure he’s spending plenty of time on all three crucial aspects of triathlon.
“Each year’s been better and I want to continue this year,” he added. “On a personal side, the Ironman side has been a little bit inconsistent with Covid which has made it difficult to manage a lot of things. For example something as simple as getting to a pool particularly when I’m at races – leaving the team bubble hasn’t been a possibility to keep the team safe and follow my own personal goals.
“Personally it’s really wonderful that the team’s going to give me some more freedom to do that and keep on top of my Ironman preparation and when I do get a clean window a nice high spot, whereas as the last few years has felt a bit like I’m doing everything I can to stay where I’m at. I haven’t felt like I’ve been able to progress in the way I would have liked, so I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity to learn from the last three years and what hasn’t worked for me on a personal side and what has as a team and find ways to be even better at that.
“I want to be part of bigger races, part of bigger success and a bigger role in my teammates’ success. I feel if that I can do that for the team it will filter over to the Ironman and I’ll be a better athlete and better prepared when I get my own chances. I relish every opportunity to race alongside the guys and it’s a huge honour to be part of the INEOS Grenadiers. And so I’m incredibly excited for 2023 – I’m all in.”
“I want to be part of bigger races, part of bigger success and a bigger role in my teammates’ success. I feel if that I can do that for the team it will filter over to the Ironman and I’ll be a better athlete and better prepared when I get my own chances. I relish every opportunity to race alongside the guys and it’s a huge honour to be part of the INEOS Grenadiers. And so I’m incredibly excited for 2023 – I’m all in.”
