For a full year each cover of this magazine was graced by an Australian rider. Mick Rogers, Simon Gerrans, Cadel Evans and Jack Bobridge each earned a spot on the front because of their racing exploits. Three of them have enjoyed success at the world championship level and the fourth has won a stage at the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España. It’s been a pleasure to see them all rise to the top of their profession and watch as they inspire fans as they practise this great sport.

There was a wealth of options again and one Aussie in particular stood out as an obvious choice. Cameron Meyer is a man of the moment. On the bike he’s a picture of perfection. When he speaks, he’s gracious and interesting. He’s only 22 but it seems as though the West Australian who won three gold medals at the recent track cycling world championships has been around forever. In 2009, the year of his professional debut with the Garmin team, he won gold in his pet event and 12 months later promptly retained the points race crown.

And in Copenhagen this March he won again and again.  Each time he lined up, he would later step up on the podium to collect another rainbow jersey. Three races, three titles.

He is one of a kind. Meyer is a rare talent who is destined to get better with age and you can read about his conquests – on his own and with a team – in an interview starting on page 98. It won’t be long before he makes the cover.

Recognition of achievement is littered throughout this issue. We traverse the globe to bring you stories of racing action and spend countless hours in the workshop scrutinising bicycles and components to provide informed reviews to help you when it comes time for your next cycling investment.

The sport is alive at the moment and we’ve made it through the opening stanza of the 2010 season relatively unscathed by doping controversy. Complacency, however, is a dangerous thing in the fight against drugs. On page 122, Rob Rixon looks at the science behind keeping growth hormone for those who need it and making sure those who abuse it get caught.

In the meantime, we honour another maestro with the cover. Fabian Cancellara was the right choice: he too is a champion with many admirable traits. On Easter Sunday he stomped over a wall in Flanders, crushing the hopes of locals but displaying talent that can be universally admired. Bravo Fabu!

ROB ARNOLD

Click here to watch see the ‘Promo Video’!

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