OPPORTUNITIES AT TDF FOR ORICA-GREENEDGE

Starting in Utrecht, the peloton will race two days in Holland and two in Belgium before crossing over to France to complete the 21stage, 3360km Grand Tour that concludes with the traditional final stage on the Champs Elysees in Paris on Sunday, 26 July.

In its fourth Tour de France, sport director Matt White said the Australian outfit has more cards to play than ever before.

“This is the best rounded and balanced team we have ever sent to a Grand Tour,” White said. “We have a lot of opportunities right throughout the three weeks, whereas at Tour’s in the past we haven’t had guys who can win high mountain stages. The goal for us is stage victories and because of the quality of this team, everyone will be given a chance to win a stage. With so many options right across the board, the month ahead is a pretty exciting prospect.”

Two-time Tour de France stage winner Simon Gerrans and two-time Giro d’Italia stage winner Michael Matthews will provide options for ORICA-GreenEDGE on the various punchy stages. After a tough start to the season, Gerrans will line up in his tenth Tour de France in peak form, whilst Matthews is chomping at the bit to make his debut having been forced to withdraw in the days leading up to last year’s race due to injuries sustained in a training crash.

Critical support for the duo and winners in their own right, two-time 2015 Tour de Romandie stage winner Michael Albasini and 2013 Maillot Jaune wearer Daryl Impey complete a dynamic quartet.

The inclusion of British twins Adam and Simon Yates is what gives ORICA-GreenEDGE a new edge to their sword. In just their second year as professionals Adam, the 2014 Tour of Turkey champion, and Simon, recent winner of the white young rider’s jersey at the Criterium du Dauphine, have proven they can mixed it with the world’s best climbers.

Despite general classification targets in week-long Tours, the pair will focus purely on stage wins at this year’s Tour de France.

A knowledgeable head in 2005 Tour de France stage winner Pieter Weening will provide support to the duo, and the entire team. Wrapping up the nine-rider squad are two powerhouse riders in Canadian Svein Tuft and Australian Luke Durbridge, who will put in an incredible workload for the team.

Photo Credits : TDWSport.com

2015 Tour de France stats – ORICA-GreenEDGE:

Youngest rider(s): Simon & Adam Yates – 22 years
Oldest rider: Svein Tuft – 38 years
Average Age: 29.22years
TDF debutants: Michael Matthews & Adam Yates
Most TDF appearances: Simon Gerrans (9)
Total OGE TDF stage wins: 2 (2013 – Stage 2 Simon Gerrans & Stage 3 TTT)
Total OGE days in Maillot Jaune:  4 (2013 – 2 Simon Gerrans, 2 Daryl Impey)

ORICA-GreenEDGE weapons of choice : the new FOIL

The first edition of the Foil set a milestone in the history of aerodynamically advanced road bikes. Since its introduction back in 2010, the Foil has earned great success on the highest level of cycling. No less than 115 World Tour victories, 16 Grand Tour stages and 3 Classic wins have been claimed on the Foil to date.

The new Foil features the same lightweight frame characteristics as its predecessor. With a frame weight of 945g and a fork weight of 335g the new Foil is one of the lightest Aero Bikes on the market.

World Tour riders count every gram. 6.8 kilograms is a magic number for them and despite its aerodynamic and stiff nature, it’s actually not a challenge to build the complete bike below this regulatory threshold.

Discover more on the bike page presentation: http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/page/foil