CT Interview: Cameron Wurf from Liquigas

By By Joey Esterhuyzen

Is it possible to have “the perfect injury”? According to new Liquigas recruit 

JE: To the obvious, Cameron! How did you break a rib?

CW: (laughs) well I was racing the GP Froumies and there was an incident which forced me off the road. I ended up riding into a clump of grass, which caught me off guard and smacked my brake hood up into my chest. Pretty unlucky I guess, but at least it’s not something like a collarbone or a wrist…

JE: I suppose your biggest concern would be getting back into training?

CW: Well yeah… but with breaking a rib, at least I can still drive a car, go visit mates. You know, I’m not completely housebound. So in a sense, it’s the perfect injury. The only thing I can’t do is surf, which is a bit annoying!

JE: Which races has this injury forced you to miss out on?

CW: Most of the coming races after my crash would have been the end of season events in Italy, as well as the Tour of Lombardia. That would have been one I’d like to have done.

JE What would your role on Liquigas have been in these events?

CW: Mostly, I’d have to look out for Michele Scarponi. I usually have to ride for him, and generally keep him out of trouble. We have a good relationship, Scarponi and I. We get along well.

JE: And with Androni  as an entity, how do you feel being part of the team in day to day life?

CW: Oh it’s been really good – we all get along very well and have a lot of respect for one another. We get along well when we’re off the bike, and work exceptionally well together, on the bike.

JE: Take us through the past few years, going from rowing to cycling… You’ve made a name for yourself very quickly!

CW: Well, where do I start! It’s been an interesting journey up til this point…. I suffered a wrist injury in rowing and was forced to take time out of the boat,  but still needed to keep up my fitness. So I started cycling a fair bit more. I was at the AIS Facility, at the same time as Cadel (Evans) and we hooked up for a ride or two.

It went from there really. I did a few tests, started training more. It all just started coming together. I ended up doing the National Time Trial that year (2007) and kinda did alright. I got 4^th in Elite Men.

JE: So it happened pretty quickly for you!?

CW: Yeah! Opportunities presented themselves at the right time and I made the most of them. And here I am…

JE: Cam you’ve had a very solid first year, surely your consistency will continue on into 2011 – is this with Liquigas?

CW: I’m hoping to get some good results with Liquigas, yes. They’re a supportive team that suits me down to the ground. But for now, it’s some quality time off the bike for a change…

Cameron Wurf is hoping to settle in well at Liquigas for the 2011 ProTour Season. He will have the opportunity to train side by side with Ivan Basso, and work toward becoming a key member of Basso’s support squad in major events throughout the coming year. As a ‘domestique’ Cameron will have the role of looking after his team captain and key riders, and give his all to help these riders get good finishing positions in major Tours and One Day Classics.

Although he’s expected to sacrifice his chances for his team mates, Wurf did make it clear that he’d “go it alone, given the opportunity” which is exactly the fighting spirit that got him onto such a highly ranked ProTour team. Definitely a rider to watch for 2011, Cameron Wurf – to think only three years ago he ‘had a go at Nationals and did alright”.

Be sure to check out Camerons blog to follow his progress with Liquigas into 2011.

 Click on http://www.joeysracing.com for regular updates, or any enquiries.