Ineos sign triathlete Cameron Wurf as Kiryienka replacement
The 36-year-old returns to the WorldTour after six years away from the peloton
Team Ineos have signed triathlete Cameron Wurf as a replacement for Vasil Kiryienka, who announced his retirement yesterday due to a cardiac issue.
36-year-old Wurf was previously a WorldTour rider, racing for Cannondale up until 2014, before deciding to switch to competing in triathlon events.
The Australian will make his debut for Ineos at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race on Sunday February 2, being drafted in late after Kiryienka's early retirement vacated a spot in the British squad.
Ineos say Wurf will race for the team across the first part of the season before he switches back to focus on triathlon training as he looks to target the Ironman World Championships in October.
>>> Dani Martínez beats Nairo Quintana and Egan Bernal to Colombian time trial title
Wurf has regularly trained with Ineos riders since 2017, often going out on rides with Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas, and Pavel Sivakov. He is also coached by Tim Kerrison, Ineos' head coach.
Commenting on the announcement, Wurf said: "We’ve tried a number of different approaches to my training and racing over the past few years and I’ve been getting better and faster as a result. This is an evolution of that approach. Since I’ve been competing in Ironman, everyone has started riding a lot faster, but they’re also still running just as fast. This move will allow me to stay on the front foot because the bike is my strongest discipline.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I’m focused on Kona in October but there’s also an opportunity to be of use to the team when needed before that. I know lots of people in the team and have trained with many of the riders, and I feel like I fit in with the culture here.
"This is an organisation I’ve dreamt of being part of since it started and it’s amazing to officially pull on the colours. I am really excited and proud to represent Team INEOS."
Tim Kerrison added: "Cameron will be joining the team to continue to pursue his Ironman career. The combination of his physical strength and versatility on the bike, his flexible schedule, and past experience racing at WorldTour level makes this an interesting and unique proposition for the team and for Cameron.
"For the first part of the season he will be always ready and available to race as required, while for the months leading into Kona his focus will shift back to Ironman, with the aim of improving on last year’s fifth place with the full support of the team."
Vasil Kiryienka called time on his 15-year career in the pro peloton after medical advice concerning a cardiac issue. The Belarussian previously missed the start of the 2019 season due to a cardiac anomaly before returning to racing at the Tour de Romandie.
The 38-year-old called it "a really sad day for me" while Ineos boss Dave Brailsford said the decision was tough to take but “obviously the right one”, wishing his rider, who he signed in 2013, all the best for the future.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
Undercover Mechanic: Contrary to popular belief, the bike industry is not collapsing - but disinformation is rife
The overstocking amid the Covid spike is problematic, but some businesses are thriving, argues our insider
By Undercover Mechanic Published
-
You need to ride easy to get faster - and that might be easier than 'Zone 2', here's why
It's ell known that easy riding is the bedrock of endurance, but what exactly do we mean by ‘easy’? Charlie Allenby seeks clarification
By Charlie Allenby Published
-
'It was time to change': No regrets for Rod Ellingworth after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
New Tour of Britain race director says he is still on good terms with Dave Brailsford after resigning from team last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published
-
'This is so much more than a number': Six of the best Ineos Grenadiers wins as team claims 500th race victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the 500th team win at the weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It doesn’t change anything’ - Tom Pidcock’s coach on Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche
Kurt Bogaerts says the pressure is off for Pidcock as he looks to defend the title he emphatically won last year
By Tom Thewlis Published