Esteban Chaves from Orica-GreenEDGE (Orica) won Stage 14 of the Giro d’Italia through the Italian dolomites region.
In winning the marathon 214km stage, Chaves became the first Orica rider to win a true mountain stage in a Grand Tour, which has been described as the toughest stage on the cycling calendar this year.
What was truly amazing about Chaves’ win, was he did it without the assistance from his teammates, unlike Movistar and Astana, which had their teams fully supporting Alejandro Valverde and Vincenzo Nibali respectively.
Chaves is only 26 years, but yesterday’s win showed he has the climbing pedigree to win a Grand Tour. He is also a capable timetrialler too. This is not Chaves’ first win. He also won two stages at the Vuelta a España last year, further emphasising his abilities. But can he win this year’s Giro?
Orica was only admitted to the UCI World Tour series since 2012. In five short years, the team has been very successful, winning stages in all Grand Tours, including holding the yellow jersey at the Tour de France and the maglia rosa in the Giro d’Italia. The team has also been successful in winning major spring classics, like Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and stages in other World Tour events across Europe and Australia.
But with all this success, Orica has never been seen as one of the favourites to win a Grand Tour. Nor after three weeks has it threatened to win it.
But winning the 2016 Giro d’Italia or a Grand Tour is unlikely to happen this year. It is unlikely to happen in the short-term either. The main problem for Orica surrounds its roster as it is too heavily skewed to winning stages or one day races.
It is talented with the likes of Simon Gerrans, Caleb Ewan, Daryl Impey and Michael Matthews. But these riders will never will a Grand Tour. Neither does Orica’s roster consist of six riders that are capable of supporting Chaves in the mountain stages of the three Grand Tours.
Winning a Grand Tour will require a change in the strategic direction of Orica and a significant refresh of its rider roster. A direction that moves away from stage wins.
For Chaves, or any other Orica rider, to climb onto the top step after three weeks will need the support of Gerry Ryan, Orica’s owner, and Shayne Bannan, Orica’s General Manager to bring in the caliber of riders that are capable of supporting Chaves over six to seven high mountains stages. Similar to what Richie Porte and Geraint Thomas did for Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome at Team Sky in the Tour de France.
This means shifting the focus of Grand Tours from having the sole purpose of obtaining one or two stage wins by Michael ‘Bling’ Matthews or Caleb Ewan. No more sprint trains. By all means, Orica should have these riders in the team fighting for stage wins. But these riders need to help Chaves win the general classification once the race hits the mountains.
Just like Rory Sutherland did on Stage 14 of the Giro for Movistar. It also means not pulling out sprinters in the Giro once the race reaches the mountains. Selection policies for these races need to change. If you cannot get over the high mountains, you do not make the team to support Chaves go for the general classification. This is what I am referring to a change in the direction of Orica.
Orica did not buy Richie Porte as they clearly knew that they had a rider, in Chaves, that is capable of winning a Grand Tour. However, they don’t have the riders to support him to climb to the top of the podium after three weeks.
The focus of Orica must shift from being a team that wins one day classics or stages in World Tour events. This needs to occur before Chaves is snapped up by Movistar, BMC or Team Sky where he will get the support to achieve his goals.
wombat
Guest
I think its undebateable that they currently lack the resources for a full UK Postal/Astana/Movistar GC assault. In reality, these are the only teams with such scope. As to whether they can retain the Yates twins remains to be seen just as it remains to be established whether they are actual GC material for GTs. I certainly would not be using them as super-doms for Chaves until it has been established that they aren't. As to whether UK Postal IS the right team for them or whether they would just be highly paid grunts for their established top-dogs is certainly open to question. Whilst Matthews is clearly somone who can/will will major one day races and could even finish high in certain one week tours; for GTs he is primarily targetting stages and potentially the green points jersey. He IS a far less resource intensive commodity than someone like Ewan, and far better equipped to go full distance through the mountains. As for his 2015 TdF, remember he rode through to the finish with rib fractures from an earlier pile up. His retention at the end of this season should be as high a priority as stocking up on climbers so OGE bosses need to settle the Gerrans issue ...... in Matthews favour. Gerrans contract runs out 2017, he will be 37, give him precedence for TdU but thereafter its a support role and if he doesnt like it he's free to retire at the end of the season or look elsewhere. Durbridge goes off contract at the end of this year and I suspect he may be moving on. Tzurruka is on a 1 year deal and may not be retained. Cort is off contract but he's young and a cobbles prospect so I'd try and keep him. Haig has done quite well so far and may develop into an excellent climber, they may give him a run at the Vuelta. Power has been out with injuries but he is also touted as a climbing talent. IF the Yates twins leave, then that may free up more $$$. I suspect OGE would take years to build up a GT squad along the lines of UKP, Astana or Movistar; and they may never have the budget to be quite on that level but they can certainly strengthen their hand. However, I would shy away from being purely one dimensional. If you have the likes of a Matthews/Sagan who is not overly resource demanding; I'd be happy to take them along and allocate them a couple of your "engine men" as support for the stages they my look to target.
Alistair Nitz
Roar Rookie
I still remain unconvinced that Orica's team roster has sufficient depth to support Chaves's tilt at a GC attempt for the giro or Tour de France next year without making further additions. I agree that the Yates brothers are potential candidates but either they want GC glory for themselves (e.g. Wiggo and Froome battle at the TdF) or they will be riding for a team with a blue stripe down the middle in 2017. Bannan indicated the Howson during the Giro telecast on SBS is showing signs of being a super domestique. But he is still untested in that role in a grand tour. Matthews is okay on the medium mountains but struggles on the high mountains. His 2015 Tour de France results illustrates this point. Plaza may offer assistance to Chaves, or is his role better suited to breakaways in the mountain similar to his 2015 Tour de France stage win. I do not think the roster still has the quality domestiques to support Chaves and Orica's GC ambitions. Certainly it does not have the same quality as Team Sky, Movistar or Astana. But with Chaves showing his talents, Orica can strengthen the roster to have a serious go the 2017 Tour de France.
Lionheart
Guest
Good article Alistair, thanks. And some decent comments above too. What a great stage of the Giro to win, and what a great race the Giro is, must go see it live one day.
wombat
Guest
Bewley knows his role is that of a "grunt" whereas Durbridge still probably wants some individual opportunities. Barring his final stage of last year's Giro; his individual successes have been minimal in the past couple of years, even in TTs. Whilst he has been touted as potential for the cobbled races; he's still some way down the OGE pecking order behind the likes of Keukeleire and Cort. If he's wanting the individual opportunities, he may need to find new surroundings. It will be interesting to see whether the Yates twins can be kept. They do seem to have gelled quite well with the team, even if less demonstrably so than Chaves. Whether they actually are real GT material remains to be established but they are certainly viable 1 week options, and that does mean vital World Tour points hauls. Adam winning San Sebastian last year clearly indicates that they, along with Chaves, also have significant one day potential. One much overlooked success of OGE has been the fact that it has NOT become just an "Aussie mates club" but rather an organisation where the international rider with the right personality, the right team ethos as well as talent is not only valued for hard work but also where THEY will get their opportunities for individual success and be legitimately supported in these endeavours. Hence we still see originals like Albasini, Impey & Keukeleire not only bringing in results but on their 3rd contracts with the team.
delbeato
Roar Guru
I think OGE have this covered. The Yates' are certainly GT material - the problem is they're potentially GT team leaders, not helpers. I'm assuming Simon will get over his doping problem which shouldn't result in a long ban, if any at all. Haig, Power.. there are a few good options here. also helping in the mountains isn't only about having mountain goats - flatlanders like Durbridge and Sam Bewley have an important role in controlling matters on flatter roads leading up to the climbs, or making the race hard.
wombat
Guest
I think its already heading that way. - Of their 3 AUS signings, Haig & Power and clearly seen as climbing talents. - Gerrans contract expires at the end of next year and given his age, he may decide to pull up stumps. - Matthews CAN survive mountains, has the potential to win MSR and other major one-dayers and is far less labour intensive than Ewan when it comes to support for stage wins. He goes off-contract at the end of this season and his retention SHOULD remain a major priority. - Howson is at least showing signs of being at least servicable in the mountains. - Durbridge goes off contract at the end of this year. I would suspect that he'll be seeking new surrounds. - The Yates twins both go off-contract at the end of this year. Will they join UK Postal or will they stay ? If they DO leave, that will at least free up some budget. - Tzurruka was always a WTF signing as he's never been a reliable mountain dom but rather an opportunist. Only a one year contract, not sure that he'll be retained. They still have a number of riders who will ensure their man is positioned well on the flat (an over looked part of the equation) and the likes of Albasini, Impey, Meier etc along with Howson should at least be able to survive Cat2s. Yes, they SHOULD look to restock with some climbers but much will depend on WHO is on the market and at what price. Furthermore, the new guys has to have the right attitude and gell with the team; very much an "intangible" but vital. However, they should not completely become GT obsessed. They have riders on their books who can win monuments and major one-dayers; or have the clear potential to do so; so these targets should not be de-emphasised. Hell, Chaves could certainly win Lombardie.