Orica-BikeExchange now an undisputed international cycling powerhouse

FIVE years after its birth, Orica-BikeExchange has arrived as an undisputed international cycling powerhouse.

Danish cyclist Magnus Cort (right) of the Orica-BikeExchange team wins Monday’s final stage of the Tour of Spain.

FIVE years after its birth, Orica-BikeExchange has arrived as an undisputed international cycling powerhouse.

Created in 2011 by Gerry Ryan and Shayne Bannan, Orica yesterday completed its most successful grand tour season with a phenomenal all-round display at the Tour of Spain.

Dane Magnus Cort won the final stage into Madrid, Orica’s fourth victory of the race, as teammate Colombian Esteban Chaves finished third overall behind Nairo Quintana and Chris Froome.

The crowning glory to an extraordinary season came after similarly strong performances at the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France, ultimate measures of cycling proficiency.

Chaves finished second in the Giro, while Briton Adam Yates was fourth overall at Le Tour, also claiming the best young rider jersey.

A​nd that’s on top of Mathew Hayman’s victory for the ages in Paris-Roubaix.

Danish cyclist Magnus Cort (right) of the Orica-BikeExchange team wins Monday’s final stage of the Tour of Spain.

Once a team renowned for opportunism but not considered a general classification threat, Orica is now the real deal — admired and respected.

And it has emerged as a team for all contingencies — from punchy sprints stages to time-trials to summit finishes — after changing from a predominantly Australian team to a more cosmopolitan squad.

Orica yesterday climbed to No.5 in the UCI team rankings behind Movistar, Tinkoff, Sky and BMC, outfits with significantly larger budgets.

Much like Neale Fraser’s Davis Cup-winning units of 1983 and ’86, Orica has something more tangible than deep pockets and reputation.

Sports director Neil Stephens summed it up perfectly.

“Two riders (Chaves and Simon Yates) in the (Tour of Spain) top 10, a rider (Chaves) on the podium, four stage wins — all on varying terrain and with young riders,” he said.

“It just shows the promise and belief we have in this team.

“There were obviously the race winners in Movistar, but we were one of the major players and we did a fantastic job.

“We took four stages, but there were an additional two or three stages that we really animated the race and put everything on the line.

Colombian cyclist Esteban Chaves of Orica-BikeExchange was third overall in the Tour of Spain.

“These were critical days for the GC (general classification) and the team executed every piece of the plan to perfection on these days.”

That was never more so on the gruelling 20th stage from Benidorm to Alto de Aitana when Damian Howson selflessly time-trialled for 30km to help Chaves unseat Alberto Contador from third place.

Howson’s sacrifice, along with that of other teammates, left Canadian veteran Svein Tuft shaking with emotion and incredulity.

There was a time when the sight of pioneer Australian riders in the European peloton doubled as a cue for curiosity, bordering on sympathy.

Not any more. And as talented as Chaves and the Yates twins are, the glue binding a close-knit team is the willingness of riders such as Sam Bewley, Tuft and a string of others to bury themselves for the greater good.

Cort’s victory in Madrid came as Caleb Ewan won the final stage of the Tour of Britain in a famous double for Orica.

With a slew of hand-picked recruits primed to join it next season, Orica is poised to push for more glory — and perhaps its first grand tour victory.

OBE will be one of a select group of high-class teams at next year’s Jayco Herald Sun Tour.

Originally published as Orica-BikeExchange now an undisputed international cycling powerhouse