A few years ago, Caleb Yuan (Lotto Soudal) would have looked at the course of the UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong, calculated the elevation gain, and concluded that a shot at the rainbow jersey was impossible. But now, the 27-year-old feels his climbing has improved enough that he can realistically dream of a world championship title in his hometown in September.

Ewan has long established himself as the leading bunch sprinter in the pro peloton, but his all-around strength has improved over the years, and he feels he has a wider range of races where he can utilize his finishing kick.

With Ghent-Wevelgem on the program this year, Milan-San Remo will once again be a major target, but all eyes are now on the World Championships.

Organizers recently announced the course for the road race in Wollongong, and what was rumored to be a sprinters' parcours turned out to be a more selective course with several climbs, including a loop around the 8.7 km long Mount Keira with an average gradient of 5%.

"Honestly, it's harder than I'd like, but definitely within my capabilities. But that's my plan," Ewan told reporters on Saturday. [If I had talked to the organizers and they had listened to me, we wouldn't have the course we have now... I heard that the UCI wanted a sprint, but Wollongong didn't because it would suit Australians... I heard that the UCI wanted a sprint. We had heard that the UCI wanted a sprint. If there is a sprinter who can sprint, it's me.

Ewan does not have a reputation as a versatile sprinter who can withstand hilly terrain, but he points out that he had it from his pre-professional days. As he has aged, it has come to the forefront again, and looking back on a frustrating 2021 campaign, he cited improved climbing as a major highlight.

"To be honest, when I was younger, I competed in the World Championships as an U23 and came in second in the 2014 Ponferrada on a hard course with super hills. I think I had the ability to handle the shorter climbs, but once I turned pro I was purely focused on sprinting and not on anything else." But as I've gotten older, I've matured a little bit and my body has gotten stronger.

"Last year I felt stronger as a rider. I was able to overcome harder courses that I normally wouldn't be able to overcome. For Milan-San Remo, I gained confidence that I can overcome the climbs well. Also, Ghent-Wevelgem didn't suit me before, but now it might be the right race for me."

For sprinters, increased climbing ability is usually a double-edged sword, with the trade-off being a loss of top-end finishing speed.

Ewan countered, "My sprinting hasn't diminished at all. 'My sprints are still getting better. Every year I say my power numbers are getting faster. I honestly don't know what the big change is. I'm just maturing and getting stronger as the years go by."

Ewan announced his 2022 race program on Saturday. He will start in the Middle East in February with the Saudi Arabia Tour and the UAE Tour before returning to Europe to race the Tirreno-Adriatico for Milan-San Remo on March 19. He will then step into the Belgian spring with De Panne and Gent-Wevelgem before resting up for the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France double.

In 2021, after a crash on stage 3 of the Tour de France, Ewan, who had been targeted for stage wins in all three Grand Tours, preferred a quiet preparation for the world championships via the Commonwealth Games in England in August. However, he did not rule out the possibility of competing in the Vuelta a España if he wins the Giro and Tour. In any case, the Tour will be the only Grand Tour he will complete in 2022. Despite criticism from Eddy Merckx for his early withdrawal last year after winning two stages, he has admitted that he cannot afford to ride the entire Giro, because "I'm not going to win the Giro, I'm going to win the Giro.

"I really like the combo of the Giro and the Tour, but it's really stressful to do all three. I would love to finish the Giro someday, but this isn't the year."

The two Grand Tours in a row form what Ewan calls the second phase of the season: Milan-San Remo. Ewan has twice led the group sprint on the Via Roma, but both times he has been behind the lone winner.

"I definitely want to win this in my career. It's the easiest to finish, but the hardest to win. You really need luck on your side, the two times I've finished second I've been unlucky. I hope luck is on my side this year

"I've mastered it as best as I can, but when the attacks come, I can't keep up with all the moves. I have to wait and wait for them to come back. I couldn't manage it before. Hopefully, having my teammates with me will make a big difference.

Ewan did not specify a teammate, but Philippe Gilbert's name is clear, as he needs Primavera to complete the trophy cabinet at the Monument. In the final season of his illustrious career, will the Belgian really throw away his chance to make history against Ewan?

"With Phil, I think I would be faster in a sprint situation with him, even if we were both at the top of Poggio, because Phil is a practical guy. I think he would want to run with me to bring it into a sprint."

As the Grand Tour approaches, Ewan will be able to look for ever stronger lead-out trains.

Jasper de Baist and Roger Kluge will remain his two most important starters, but with the acquisition of Ludgier Selig and Michael Schwarzmann from Bora-Hansgrohe, and the addition of young compatriots Harry Sweeney and Jarrad Drizners, the train is strengthened.

"Selig will sit in the third man, but two is not enough. Before we had to fight all the races with the same members, but now we have a choice. It's a super-strong team

Still, Ewan has to make ends meet, and while the Australian has been very successful since joining in 2019, the level of the rest of the team has been nowhere near the same, languishing near the bottom of the World Tour standings, and in the sport's vying for a place in the top tier.

"I don't feel pressured by that. Every year I am expected to win a lot anyway," Ewan said.

"If I have a really good year and some of the younger guys step up - and I think they will - there should be no problem. We absolutely can't afford any setbacks from the leadership, but we need to go into the season with a positive attitude that it's not going to be a problem and everyone needs to step up and play a role in scoring points."