Nathan Earle started the summer out of work, facing the stark reality of a premature retirement from the sport. The New Year saw a change in fortune for the 28-year-old Australian, signing with the Continental Team Ukyo squad, and securing a place on the national teams at the Tour Down Under and Herald Sun Tour.
Earle's start to the season was a reminder of his characteristics and ability that saw Team Sky sign him back in 2013.
"I didn't go out and win anything but I would say I had a pretty successful start to the year proving that I am still there," Earle told Cyclingnews.
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"The nationals performance, eleventh in the end at Tour Down Under and then Sun Tour... it would have been nice to do a little better but at the same time, top ten with four other guys confirmed the Tour Down Under result wasn't any sort of a fluke. I think all in all, it wasn't the make or break that it was going to be because I got the contract with Team Ukyo, which was fantastic and eased the pressure. The form was there and I felt a bit more relaxed about everything and everything fell into place."
At the national championships in early-January, Earle announced he was in "career best form". Fifth in the road race suggested he wasn't bluffing with his TDU (11th on GC) and Sun Tour (8th on GC) results that followed evidence of his claim. While some saw it as a 'breakout' block of racing, Earle explained that things simply fell his way following a dedicated off-season of training.
"The whole summer really was reassuring. I think it surprised a lot of people. I had a lot of people saying, 'wow, you're going so well and looking so fit' and things like that. For me, it was not so surprising because I know what I can do if everything goes well with training and health and a bit of luck. I wasn't riding above my ability thinking 'holy shit'. That's what I thought I could do and it's what I did, so to me it wasn't a surprise," he said.
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