GreenEDGE have tasted outstanding success with Swiss rider Michael Albasini second in the Fleche Wallonne on Wednesday.
Albasini was without doubt the second strongest rider next to Katusha’s Spanish rider Joaquim Rodriguez. Australian rider Simon Clarke delivered him in fourth position at the bottom of Mur de Huy.
Albasini showed outstanding class and grit to match accelerations from other contenders but Rodriguez’ burst of speed on the steep Huy was on the day (and any other day) unbeatable.
In the Fleche Wallonne Feminine, New Zealand’s Linda Villumsen from GreenEDGE-AIS ladies team came third, with an excellent sixth from Germany’s Judith Arndt.
The results of the GreenEDGE project seem to parallel the national super team Rabobank but with none of its history. Also different is the scale of diversity within GreenEDGE that differs from national teams like Rabobank or Euskaltel-Euskadi.
GreenEDGE has a heart in Australia but utilises the best that the world of cycling can offer.
These results at Fleche Wallonne demonstrate that the recruitment policy, whole team structure, race planning and preparation of GreenEDGE is worthy of world tour standard and surely justifies UCI ratification as a World Tour team.
Also the success of both the men’s and women’s teams must endorse the belief of General Manager Shayne Bannan and benefactor Gerry Ryan OAM in this exciting professional cycling project.
Next up, we have Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Liege is referred to as the “La Doyenne”, meaning the oldest or grandest. It will be run over 257 kilometres on Sunday April second. It ends with a succession of punishing Cote’s (mounts in French). This provides an opportunity for a breakaway on the last 2-3 climbs that may set riders up for a win.
The team for GreenEDGE is Christian Meier, Daryl Impey, Fumiyuki Beppu, Michael Albasini, Simon Clarke, Simon Gerrans, Travis Meyer and Wesley Sulzberger.
Looking at the roster, Simon Gerrans would be seen as absolute team leader. However, even though his results in this race in past have been excellent – with 12th and sixth in 2010 and 2009 respectively – I think because of Albasini’s excellent result on Wednesday this may change, with both riders being protected.
Dual leaders can be a problem, but this plays to GreenEDGE’s strength, which is multiple options allowing for the team to give 100 percent to whoever is the best and has the luck on the day.
This, all for the leader mentality, will provide more and more positive results as GreenEDGE matures as a team.
All eggs are not thrown into one basket. There are no big names commanding huge salaries. And all riders provide complete dedication, even when they are not on the best of their game.
Other World Tour teams and their riders won’t know what to do if Albasini, Gerrans or Clarke fly-up the second or third to last climb. They won’t know whether they need to cover, chase or let go.
Just as GreenEDGE’s Daryl Impey’s win in stage two of Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco demonstrates that even though the designated sprinter, Australia’s Allan Davis was GreenEDGE’s man for the day, Davis did not do anything that would have jeopardised Impey’s possible win.
And so will Albasini, Gerrans and Clarke if their team member is up the road. This is because the GreenEDGE team the three – or thirty – musketeers of cycling: “All for one and one for all”.
My tip for a smokey, if given the luck and opportunity, Simon Clarke can go all the way. And once again, go GreenEDGE!
Fancy a wager on your favourite sport? Head on over to PlayUp for great odds and friendly customer service and pick a winner. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Australia's Jai Hindley has said he is "lost for words" after a shock stage victory at the Tour de France earned him the leader's…
Australia's Jai Hindley has said he is "lost for words" after a shock stage victory at the Tour de France earned him the leader's…
Tadej Pogacar has won a drama-packed Tour of Flanders, winning in a breakaway with Matieu van der Poel second, Mads Pedersen third and Wout…
Women are not allowed to compete in the Tour de France. However you choose to re-read that sentence, the fact remains: the most famous…
The jam-packed month-by-month quiz full of 2022 sports trivia!
Australian Grace Brown has won silver in the women's time trial, the first event at the world road cycling championships.
