Track World Championships 2012 will be the last track appearance by Leigh Howard
Track cycling is undoubtedly considered as one of the most rapidly developing career for any professional cyclist. However, Leigh Howard is keen to end his track pursuit after his favourite event Madison was removed from the Olympics.
The cyclist was seen in a lead-out role with his previous side, Team HTC-Highroad, before joining the home squad, Team GreenEdge, for 2012.
His last appearance in the track road discipline will be in Melbourne, during the 2012 track world championships.
He spent a period of two years with the American squad and had to find a different home after Team HTC announced its departure from the sport. The 22-year-old will now ride the 2012 season with the Australian side.
Howard is clear about his goals in the new team, "I’ve definitely spoken a lot with Whitey, and I see myself as the second sprinter behind Gossy. There are a lot of really good riders like Allan Davis and Aidis Kruopis as well, but I’ll definitely be one
of the top sprinters in the team and have quite a free role for most of my races”, he told Cyclingnews.
Leigh also admits the fact that he needs to improve to make his room in the fully equipped new team.
He understands that there is a long road ahead of him and to be the very best, his job is to ensure that the team’s leader achieves the highest podium spot.
Howard made his first Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a Espana 2011 and the sprinter is certain to add more Grand Tour appearances to his name in 2012.
The cyclist is currently struggling with his form at the Tour Down Under in Adelaide, Australia.
Simon Gerrans is leading Team GreenEdge at the opening UCI race and Leigh is doing his best to help his leader at the event.
He explained, "I’ve improved in a lot of areas since I’ve first started. Mainly being my strength and my physical maturity as a bike rider. It’s about putting that all to use now".
Leigh himself is at the 107th position after the stage 3 classifications and has done well to help Gerrans with his 5th overall position.
Team GreenEdge is currently struggling with its 18th overall position at the race.
With three more stages to go at the Santos Tour Down Under, Howard has an excellent opportunity to prove his worth in the team by improvising at the Adelaide race.
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