Blessing in disguise

By reducing the track cycling program at the London Olympics, the IOC has done Cameron Meyer a huge favour, says Mike Tomalaris.

It came as no big surprise that Meyer's last official competition in the velodrome arrived last Sunday when collecting a bronze medal in the Madison with long-time colleague Leigh Howard at the UCI World Championships.

There was no fanfare, no farewell and no tears - just a round of modest applause from an appreciative Hisense Arena for a rider who stood on the podium alongside the Belgian gold medal combination of Kenny De Ketele and Gijs Van Hoecke.

Meyer was never going to be considered for selection in Australia's pursuit team for London so Melbourne 2012 was perhaps a fitting finale to a wonderful and successful track career.

That said it's a shame the shackles of his track commitments weren't loosened some 12 months ago.

At the time Meyer was certainly in the running for a berth at London only to be superseded by the Jack Bobridge, Michael Hepburn, Rohan Dennis and Glenn O'Shea - all of whom appear to have cemented their places in the pursuit squad.

Had the Points Race and Madison still been part of the Olympic track program, there's no doubt Meyer would be the first person on the Qantas jumbo to London.

The final make-up of the Olympics squad will be announced in June when Cycling Australia High Performance Director Kevin Tabotta releases the 14-person roster that travels to London.

As much as he would love to be included, the Olympics was never an option for Meyer.

As a result the sky is now the limit.

It's time now for this brilliantly talented 24-year-old to look to the future and concentrate on carving out a road career - if he hasn't already done so.

He has the makings of a being the complete all-rounder and has already shown his wares as a road racer and time trial specialist.

Success at the 2011 Tour Down Under was just a taste of things to come, Im sure.

Many experts say Meyer has the potential of being a Classics specialist sooner rather than later, with the view of one day challenging for a place on the podium in a Grand Tour.

How content must GreenEDGE team director Matt White feel with the knowledge he will have complete reign over his prodigy now that the track is a thing of the past?

Go forth Cameron Meyer - the world is your oyster and may you reap the rewards on the pro-circuit you fully deserve.