Simon Clarke shows ambition for 2023 season, after a good start in the Australian Nationals: "I didn’t want to be known for that one year I came back for. I want to set that as a new standard"

Simon Clarke, the veteran 36 year old Australian cyclist had a season to remember in 2022 specially after a late contract call from Israel-Premier Tech. Not only he secured some interesting solid results in 1 day races, specially a 3rd spot in GP Miguel Indurain, he also won the epic cobbled 5th stage in Tour de France from a breakaway that occurred very early in the race. All of this lead him to deservedly securing a 2 more seasons contract with Israel-Premier Tech.

I definitely stepped things up a notch since last summer after everything that happened, and things are going well. I had great year, and I said to myself that I didn’t want to be known for that one year I came back for. I want to set that as a new standard, and hopefully this year I can continue like I started today”, he stated after his national road race in Australia.

Clarke was one of the most market riders on a peloton that had the best cyclists of Australia,“It’s also an honor because they respect you and fear you. It means you have to be smarter and make more calculated moves. Like Luke did in the final, you really have to play your cards right and chapeau to him”, said Clarke not being bother about that.

“With Matthews being the fastest sprinter I felt it was on him to cover that move, so when Plapp went, I just said I’m on red,” Clarke said. "I hoped he would chase, but he was a bit undecided. A split second of indecision with a class act like Plapp and it’s all over, so then I just said right I’ve got to come home with the best sprint possible", he said about the race finished that saw Ineos rider Lucas Plapp re-validating his National title for the 2nd consecutive year.

With a good start, Simon Clarke wants to do even more on this season, aiming now Tour Down Under a race that also takes place in his native home soil. He already raced it for 11 times securing his best overall result in his 1st time of racing it in 2006 via 8th place.

“I worked hard, and with Israel being relegated to Pro Continental, we’re really motivated to start the year off strong and on a good foot. That starts here and at the Tour Down Under. On paper, I’m more of a one-day racer than a week-long stage racer, so I definitely have a bit of an idea on Cadel’s race. With prologue at the start of the Tour Down Under, it doesn’t really suit me with these engines we’re up against, so we’ll see how we go”, stated Clarke about his chances in Tour Down Under and Cadel Evans Ocean Road Race.