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Matthews or Gerrans - Will tonight's Tour de France stage determine the rider list in 2017?

Michael Matthews appears to be in a feud with teammate Simon Gerrans (AP Photo/Miguel Angel Morenatti)
Roar Rookie
3rd July, 2016
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Since the 2015 Road World Championships in Richmond USA, the relationship between Simon Gerrans and Michael Matthews has soured. The real concern for Orica-BikeExchange is the feud spillover and affecting team dynamics.

It appears that team management has struggled to nip the feud in the bud during the team camps post the world champs. The first race that both riders competed in together was the Amstel Gold some six months after the first tangle.

The result? Both riders rode their own race and neither of them won. Clearly the feud was alive and well.

Media reports claim that team manager, Matt White, has denied that there is an issue between the Tour de France team leaders.

The problem for team management is Gerrans and Matthews are effectively out of contract this year.

It appears that Matthews does not want to stick around at Orica with Gerrans in the team. The in-demand versatile sprinter has already been linked with a move to Giant-Alpecin.

Orica-BikeExchange has also yet to take up the third year option in Gerrans’ contract.

The challenge for team management is that Gerrans is the team veteran at the end of his career. He has won several one day races and grand tour stages. This type of experience positions him to be a valued mentor to the younger riders of the team.

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Whereas Matthews is the rising star capable of winning stages in the grand tours and even wearing the green jersey in a few years. But Orica-BikeExchange has another young sprinter in Caleb Ewan that could slot into Matthews’ place.

Tonight’s stage from Saint-Lô to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin will be an important test for both riders. The course with a 3km mostly uphill section at the end of the stage suits both riders. It was reported in Cyclingtips.com that Matt White was reluctant to reveal team tactics for the stage.

Providing there are no early crashes, the last 3kms will be important indicator on the possible makeup of the team in 2017.

If Gerro is protected and allowed to go for it in the last 3kms, in all likelihood Orica-BikeExchange may be prepared to let Matthews go.

Alternatively, if Matthews is standing on the podium in yellow, than Orica-BikeExchange could be making one last stand to convince Matthews to stay with the Australian team.

The end of the Tour de France will be interesting on two counts. First to see if Gerrans and Matthews can in fact ride together in unison for team glory, and secondly to see if Giant-Alpecin announces the signature of Matthews once the transfer window is opened.

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