Orica-GreenEDGE have confirmed their roster for 2016, and they’re certainly ringing in the changes.
Seven new riders have come into the team, and eight have gone out. What’s left is a more honed and focused squad than the 2015 team, and one that should challenge for honours across the board.
Simon Gerrans is of course still in the squad. Though relatively unlikely to leave it’s essential for Orica to keep hold of one of their main winners. Gerrans can get victories all year round, at the Tour Down Under, the Spring Classics, and is always a contender for a lumpy Grand Tour stage.
His likely successors, the Yates twins, are still in the squad. Adam took the biggest win of his career at the Clasica San Sebastian in August, and it won’t be too long before they both are challenging for podiums in the Ardennes.
They’ve also held on to star sprinter Bling Matthews, but by far the most important rider they’ve kept hold of is Esteban Chaves. The little Colombian won’t be winning any Grand Tours next year, but he isn’t too far away from finishing on the podium of one. He’s a pretty handy bet for a week long stage race like the Tour of the Basque Country too.
So that’s who’s still here. Now who’s coming in?
There’s some proven climbing talent in the shape of Spaniards Ruben Plaza and Amets Txurruka, as well as talented sprinter Luka Mezgec who will be of great assistance to Bling Matthews.
Then there’s the young Aussie talent. Orica thrives on this, and new signings this year include Alexander Edmondson, Jack Haig and Robert Power. Not riders who’ll be winning many races but quite possibly the next generation of real cycling talent.
So who’s out?
Simon Clarke, Adam Blythe, Cam Meyer and Leigh Howard, to name a few. There’s no one really that Orica will miss too much to be honest. Clarke was a handy rider, but wasn’t going to win any big races. Leigh Howard and Cam Meyer have yet really to live up to their full potential on the road.
Orica will be pleased with who they have managed to keep, there were plenty of suitors circling for Chaves when he wrapped up the Abu Dhabi Tour earlier this year.
The talent that’s gone out has left a more rounded, focused squad, and one that can really have a tilt at the Grand Tour podiums and the Ardennes classics. They have the man power, now all they have to do is translate that into results.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
I will disagree with your point about Simon Clarke. Harsh in my opinion to say that he couldn't win the big races. He never really got an opportunity in the shadow of Gerrans and Matthews. Is one of the best punchy domestiques going around in my opinion. and will be an extremely big loss to the team. Agree though that Meyer and Howard will not be missed. Especially Howard, who has done a Matt Goss and gone completely missing for the past year and a half....
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Mezgec is really one of their more shrewd signings I think. Capable of winning solo if Matthews isn't there, and if Matthews is there he's got a hell of a lead out train.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
All great questions! With Chaves, top five is a realistic target in the GC, and with a bit of luck, a top three isn't out of the question. Unless Bling Matthews is racing, I can't see the sprints being their main target. If Chaves isn't there though, stage wins are the way to go. Five or six stage wins would mean more than a minor jersey, I think.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Big changes for the team. Interesting stages coming up. I'm really interested to watch Mezgec and Plaza.
Scott Pryde
Expert
It's going to be really interesting in that regard to follow the likes of the Yates brothers and Chavez. Otherwise they still attack stage wins I think
Mango Jack
Guest
Thanks, Tom. Do you see OGE challenging any of the grand tour categories? Who will be their lead rider? Their strength last year was team sprints, if I remember correctly. How will the changes affect this aspect of competitions?