Four-time Tour Down Under winner Simon Gerrans begins his new job as BMC road captain in Adelaide
FOUR-TIME Tour Down Under winner Simon Gerrans has returned to Adelaide in a different role but as motivated as ever to support his new leader Richie Porte at BMC.
FOUR-TIME Tour Down Under winner Simon Gerrans has returned to Adelaide in a different role but as motivated as ever to support his new leader Richie Porte at BMC.
The addition of Gerrans in the off-season means BMC boasts the past three winners of the race with Porte and Rohan Dennis holding six ochre jerseys between them.
After debuting for his new team in the national championships on Sunday where a last-minute illness forced a change of race plan, Gerrans, 37, is fit and ready to fire at the TDU which he has won in 2006, 2012, 2014 and 2016.
“It’s new and it’s a good new, coming here without that huge pressure from the outside and more so putting pressure on myself to be the best guy in the race,” Gerrans said on Friday.
“I know I’ve got an important role to fulfil here and I think there will still be some opportunities to go for some wins but the overall pressure is definitely not on my shoulders this year.
“I’ve still worked really hard coming into the race and put in a really good pre-season. I had a bit of catching up to do from the tailend of my 2017 season but I feel like I’ve made amends as well as possible and am starting here in good shape.
“I’m excited to get things started, the guys look like they’re all in really good shape and there is always a nice buzz at Tour Down Under every year.”
Gerrans has been recruited as a road captain at BMC where he is expected to play an important role for Porte at the Tour de France in July.
But at the national championships in Buninyong last weekend the team was planning to ride for him before he fell ill and switched roles before the race.
“It was a change of plan last minute before the race, I had a little hiccup with the final part of my preparation and I wasn’t really confident I was going to be able to go the distance in the race,” Gerrans said.
“It was just a little bit of illness at the last minute which unfortunately took the edge off a bit, but I still had a really good hitout and felt I made a contribution.
“So I did a role change and supported Richie and Rohan to the later stages of the race.”
As well as the three former TDU winners, BMC also has former national champion Miles Scotson as part of its title defence this week.
“Between myself, Richie and Rohan we have a bit of experience in this race and have all won it in the past,” Gerrans said.
“I think there’ll be a lot of attention our way, this week there is going to be a lot of competition in the sprints and a few handy GC riders so it’s shaping up to be a really good event.”
BMC plans to scout the Uraidla finish to Stage 4 on Saturday which comes just 8km after the climb over Norton Summit.
“It’s going to be exciting for spectators, and in saying that on paper Friday’s stage will suit a number of guys in the peloton,” Gerrans said.
“The history of this race shows it’s always won by just a handful of seconds, so the guys that that stage suits will definitely be looking to make their mark there.
“We have got to chip away to make sure certain guys aren’t threatening Richie and make sure he stays in contention.”