Tyler Farrar out to prove a point in 2013

Garmin-Sharp's Tyler Farrar says he has a point to prove this season after a difficult 2012.

Two stage victories in August's US Pro Cycling Challenge were the American's only victories last year in a campaign that was severely hindered by crashes.

However, Farrar is optimistic about 2013 after a solid start in which he finished second in two of the four one-day races that make up the Challenge Majorca series.

"Two second places in a row is frustrating, it's never nice when you come so close and don't win, but the most important thing right now is to know that I had a good winter and that my form is good," Farrar told Cycling Weekly.

"I had a pretty rough season last year, it's no secret that I didn't perform anywhere close to my best, so the most important thing this year is to show the team that I'm back to where I should be."

In 2011, Farrar became the first American to win a Tour de France stage on Independence Day.

Since then, the 28-year-old has been plagued by luck. He crashed out of the 2011 Vuelta and last year's Giro, and three crashes in as many days during the first week of the Tour de France put paid to his hopes of winning his second stage in the race.

"There was a bad karma in 2012. Things did not click for me - I've never spent so much of a season dealing with injuries as I did last year. It was a very frustrating experience," he admitted.

Kenny de Haes (Lotto-Belisol) and Leigh Howard (Orica-GreenEdge) edged out Farrar in Majorca, so the American has turned his attention to Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (February 24) and Tirreno-Adriatico (March 6-12) as he seeks his first win of the season.

"It's not the be all and end all of a year to win early on, but it always helps. Its good for morale and it gives you that feeling of relief.

"We had a good crew here in Majorca, we've been active in the finishes, those guys only just beat me and I know I've had a really good winter," he cheerily added.

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