THERE are plenty of cyclists with plenty to prove at the 2015 Cycling Australia Road National Championships.
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However, none have more on the line than NFTO puncher Steele Von Hoff.
Last year’s winner of the men’s criterium is hoping a huge start to the new season will help him return to peak form and, ultimately, the World Tour.
When Von Hoff emerged victorious from the crash-laden national crit down Sturt Street in January, he was wearing the colours of UCI ProTeam Garmin-Sharp.
Several mediocre months later, he was approaching the end of the season with a 2015 contract, and scrapping for high-profile races to enter.
British team NFTO Pro Cycling answered the 26-year-old’s call in early December and, now, he is gearing up for a massive Australian summer.
“I want to make the Tour Down Under,” Von Hoff said. “TDU has to be one of my favourite races in the world, and I need to perform in the road race to get there.
“It all comes down to my performance at nationals. If I don’t have a good showing, that’s pretty much the start of my season done.”
Von Hoff, a natural sprinter with the ability to climb over small hills, has a traditionally strong record at the men’s road race. In 2014, he finished eighth from a breakaway that was reeled in by Simon Gerrans, Cadel Evans and Richie Porte, and was third the year before.
When fully fit, he is one of the few sprinters making it over the top of Mt Buninyong with the classics riders.
Von Hoff has spent much of December training at Kangaroo Valley with the Avanti squad, alongside Ballarat road captain Pat Shaw.
“In previous years, I’ve helped Avanti (at the nationals),” Von Hoff said.
“Training with Pat has been fantastic – he’s one of the best captains there is.”
While he knows he needs a good result in 2015 to warrant inclusion in the TDU and beyond, Von Hoff concedes he must be at the peak of his ability to mix it with the other hopefuls.
“With nationals this year with Richie (Porte) and Cadel (Evans), it might be a bit hard for me to stay with them,” he said.
“I was in the breakaway last year with Simon Clarke and Luke Durbridge, and they got us on the last lap, but I managed to hang on for eighth, which was pleasing.
“It will depend on how the race pans out. If they have a battle into the last climb, there’s not much anyone else can do – they’re in a league of their own.”
michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au
