In 2017, just two Australians were called into the WorldTour as stagiaires. Cyrus Monk at Cannondale-Drapac via its feeder team Pat`s Veg, and Ayden Toovey at Trek-Segafredo. Both riders have enjoyed success in the National Road Series (NRS) in recent seasons, with Toovey impressing with podiums at both one-day races on the calendar, Melbourne to Waroonbmool and Grafton to Inverell. The 21-year-old has continued his progression in 2017 with the NSW Institute of Sport team, catching the eye of the Trek management to earn a ride from August 1. Despite interest from other WorldTour teams, Trek was the logical destination. Toovey`s career started in earnest in 2013 when he was selected for the junior Worlds team. Following on from Florence, Brad McGee and Ben Kersten at NSWIS have guided Toovey through his career, with Kevin Poulten coaching the Mudgee-local until this year. Toovey`s ride with Trek-Segafredo came about through the trio`s belief in his abilities and the bicycle link between the WorldTour squad and NSWIS.ADVERTISEMENT `Trek has been a major part of the team since its original year. That helped us get in contact with Trek-Segafredo for a training camp,` Toovey told Cyclingnews of the pathway to his stagiaire ride. `There were only two spaces for people who ride Trek or were associated with Trek and had reasonable results and numbers to come along to the training camp which was held in Orcières in France. During the training camp we underwent testing at altitude and power data and from that, I had reasonable test results which were obviously good enough to be called up as a stagiaire.` Toovey was then called into the Trek-Segafredo team for the 2.1 Tour du Poitou Charentes in France. Mads Pedersen won the time trial to set up victory, ensuring a perfect introduction to WorldTour life for Toovey. `Obviously being a stagiaire you just have to play your part and help out when you can,` he said of the experience. `The team said they were happy at the e ...
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