Teamwork Delivers Yellow Jersey

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On the heels of his historic victory yesterday in Corsica, Simon Gerrans stood on the Tour de France podium again today. This time, he was joined by his entire team. ORICA-GreenEDGE won the stage four team time trial in Nice. The team effort put Gerrans in the yellow jersey, tied on time with Daryl Impey and Michael Albasini.

“It was a team effort yesterday, but I was the one to stand on the podium and receive the reward,” said Gerrans. “It was that much more special to stand on the stage today with the entire team. All nine of us were on the podium together to celebrate our win. The yellow jersey is an added bonus.” 

Omega Pharma-Quick-Step set the early benchmark of 25’57 over the 25km pan-flat parcours. Third at the intermediate check point, ORICA-GreenEDGE edged out the Belgian squad by less than a second at the finish.

Time trial specialists Cameron Meyer and Svein Tuft led the Australian outfit down the start ramp. The Tour de France debutants each took long, steady pulls to get the team up to speed. Stopping the clock at 25’56, ORICA-GreenEDGE averaged 57.8kph to record the fastest time ever for a Tour team time trial.

 “We certainly weren’t the favourites, but we had a very strong team,” Gerrans added. “There were no weak links today. Everyone was given a specific role to play within the TTT. The stronger riders pulled harder and longer. The less strong guys kept the speed up on their turns. Everyone committed 100% and it paid off with the win.”

With the win came the yellow jersey. Although tied on time with Impey and Albasini, Gerrans was the first of his teammates across the finish line, snagging himself the coveted maillot jaune. The sixth Australian to wear yellow, Gerrans adds his name to an impressive list that includes Phil Anderson, Bradley McGee, O’Grady, Robbie McEwen and Cadel Evans.

“To take the yellow jersey is the pinnacle of cycling,” said Gerrans. “The Tour de France is the race around the world that everyone knows, and the yellow jersey is the symbol of that race. Winning stages and wearing yellow changes a career. To pull on this jersey is something a rider might dream about for his whole life. Only a few guys get that opportunity. I’m thrilled to have that honour.”

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