Cannondale Chairside Chats: Cameron Wurf (part one)

Throughout the season G4 will have unprecedented access to the Cannondale squad and will be posing questions on a wide-range of topics and, of course, getting that all-important feedback on the G4/Cannondale range of casual clothing.

I have this theory that, talent aside, it’s attitude and work ethic that sets amateurs apart from professional athletes and, as a consequence, the latter could also have been world-class in another sport or two. Former Olympic rower and World Tour cyclist, Cameron Wurf beautifully illustrates this very point. Here’s part one of a recent three-part chat.

G4: Olympic rower, World Tour cyclist: I bet you’re good at other sports, aren’t you?

CJW: Yeah, I’m pretty good at golf. It was the first sport I was really good at as a youngster but it wasn’t in the Olympics. While I was at school I started rowing, an Olympic sport, which is why I ended up concentrating on it. But I still play as much golf as I can.

G4: What’s your handicap?

CJW: Nine, I can get it down to five in the off season but getting down to scratch is too hard because if you don’t practise enough you tend to lose your short game; the putting and so on. So, I can’t quite get down to scratch but when I stop cycling…..

G4: That’s a really interesting mix of sports. There’s eye-hand-ball coordination with golf, so some overlap with rowing which is more about endurance, like cycling. So how about tennis?

CJW: I don’t mind tennis, but I prefer golf.

G4: Wouldn’t golf have been a better [paid] career choice?

CJW: You’re right; I should have become a golfer. I was at my best when I was 15-16 [years’ old], but I was so fixated on taking part in the Olympics. I’ve always liked sports that I wasn’t good at and, at first, I used to get demolished in rowing. Maybe I’m stubborn, but I wanted to prove a point. I should have probably stuck to the sport I was actually good at! The same thing happened when I started cycling, but I persevered instead of just running back to rowing.

G4: Whatever professional sport you do, there’s always a lot of just hanging around in your team’s casual clothing. You’ve been very complimentary about the new G4/Cannondale t-shirt.

CJW: The t-shirt feels like a pair of pyjamas, you just put it on and immediately feel relaxed.

G4: What do you typically look for in your team’s casual wear?

CJW: Comfort, something that feels as if you’re not wearing anything is just perfect for me. I’m not really the most stylish dresser. You’ll find me in a pair of track pants and a sweatshirt a lot more often than you’ll find me in a nice pair of jeans and a button down shirt. I like things that feel warm and comfortable, something I can relax in. Also, I travel a lot and need a comfortable pair of track pants and a top, particularly for long haul flights, when I’m just sitting or lying down on a plane. I like something in a soft material that’s warm but not too hot.

Links: G4 on-line boutique, Cameron Wurf’s blog