Orica-GreenEdge 2012 Season in Review

In 2012 the Australian dream of having a national team compete in the Grand Tours and One day classics of Europe was realised. Since Phil Anderson brought to attention the glory of the Tour de France by winning the white jersey in 1982, Australian cycling has growth as a cycling powerhouse has justified calls for a nation trade team. Until 2012 there was no national team, Australian’s instead were riding for the mostly European teams of the peloton besides a few exceptions, with clusters found of them across the peloton. For riders who had first made a name for themselves in the 1990s the opportunity to finish their career at an Australian team was too good an opportunity to turn down. One off the doyens of Australian cycling, Stuart O’Grady had ridden on Tour de France winning teams and enjoyed both personal and team success riding for Bjarne Riis’s CSC and Saxo Bank teams before a final year with the Leopard team. He has recently announced he has no plans for retirement and is a blessing for the younger riders to have a rider who has experienced Olympic Gold medal success and has 15 plus years of experience in the peloton to guide them and offer advice. Robbie McEwen rode the early season before pulling up stumps and relocating to the comfort of the car.

Orica-GreenEdge Sever Ties with Matt White

Matt White has been sacked by the Australian cycling team GreenEdge after his admission of doping when riding on the US Postal team. He had previously been sacked from his Cycling Australia role after his admission.