As Australian cycling's stocks plummeted at the Beijing Olympics, two teenagers used the Games as a launching pad for their skyrocketing careers.

Next year, Cameron Meyer and Jack Bobridge will be at the core of a team set to provide much sterner opposition for the British cycling powerhouse at the London Olympics.

Meyer will defend three titles next week at the world track championships in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn, while Bobridge takes an astonishing world record performance into the event.

They are part of a far healthier outlook compared to three years ago, when Australia was the major casualty of British cycling's Beijing blitz.

From six cycling gold medals in Athens, Australia could only manage Anna Meares' courageous silver as the British won eight titles.

In the midst of the carnage, Meyer finished a promising fourth in the points race and Bobridge also impressed as the team pursuiters took fourth as well.

Those two 19-year-olds are now among the brightest young stars in world cycling.

It is a fascinating question - which of the team-mates at the Garmin-Cervelo professional team will have the bigger career?

Already this year, Bobridge has soloed to the national road title in January and Meyer has successfully defended his road time trial championship.

Meyer also rode superbly to win the Tour Down Under road race in Adelaide. A few days later, Bobridge stunned the sport when he broke Chris Boardman's individual pursuit world record, a mark that had stood for 15 years and was considered unbreakable.

Meyer, Australia's reigning cyclist of the year, will defend the points, madison and team pursuit titles at the world championships.

Bobridge will also ride in the team pursuit, where the Australians will resume their fierce rivalry with the British.

The points race, madison and individual pursuit are not on the questionable new Olympic program, meaning the team pursuit will be the Olympic focus for Meyer and Bobridge.

While they hold the team pursuit world title, they know the British and Russians are yet to reach full strength.

"I don't think we have anything to be scared of, we're taking the right steps at each world championships and World Cups so far, we're posting the right times," Meyer said of Australia's team pursuit prospects.

"When we do put our formidable four together come the Olympics, we'll be right up there among the top nations and hopefully on the top step."

But it has not been all highlights for Meyer and Bobridge - on the night Meyer won the Tour Down Under, Garmin stunningly sacked team director and fellow Australian Matt White.

Management said White had organised an unauthorised fitness test in Spain for former team member and compatriot Trent Lowe.

A Cycling Australia inquiry cleared White, who remains their performance coordinator - meaning he still liaises with Meyer and Bobridge for national commitments.

"It is quite an awkward situation, but we're all professional bike riders and when we do turn up to the race, we have to follow instructions from whoever that director is," Meyer said.

"When we go to a world championships or an event that is the national director, then that's when we take the advice from him.

"But I have to honour that I'm with Garmin-Cervelo and when I'm at the races, I will listen to their directors and they'll give me the best advice possible."

Garmin's roster also includes Meyer's younger brother Travis, who won the 2009 Australian road title. Garmin are set to take Cameron Meyer to the Giro d'Italia in May for his third start in the three-week classic.

After the London Olympics, Meyer and Bobridge will focus on the road and go to the Tour de France. Meyer previously was in the Giro to learn and just hang on, but the stellar Tour Down Under ride has raised his expectations.

While his first priority again will be to help other team members, this time he will also aim for personal results. "

Definitely going into the Giro, I'd love to look at a couple of stages and really back myself to get in a break or be there near the finish and make a move.

"Hopefully I can put my name out there just that little bit more."

Nearly every time they race, that is exactly what Meyer and Bobridge achieve.

Roger Vaughan
AAP