Boosted by Mathew Hayman’s epic Paris-Roubaix win, Orica GreenEDGE making tilt on Ardennes Classsics

BOUYED by Mathew Hayman’s epic Paris-Roubaix win, Orica GreenEDGE is launching a multi-pronged assault on the Ardennes Classics.

Cyclist Simon Gerrans is one of the contenders to win the Cadel Evans Race. Picture: Alison Wynd

IN THE emotional afterglow of popular workhorse Mathew Hayman’s career-best win in the Paris-Roubaix road race, Orica-GreenEDGE is launching a multi-pronged assault on the Ardennes Classics, three hilly one-dayers in quick succession in Holland and Belgium.

The Australian team’s two best riders, veteran Simon Gerrans and rising star Michael Matthews, will lead the charge in the Amstel Gold Cup on Sunday, as will Swiss veteran Michael Albasini in the Fleche Wallone on Wednesday and Gerrans and possibly Simon Yates in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege next Sunday.

“It’s a pretty interesting group and we’ll be chasing podium finishes in each race, all of which are very important,” sports director Matt White said on Friday.

They have form.

Gerrans won Liege two years ago, joining the great Cadel Evans, who claimed Fleche Wallone in 2010, as the only Australians to have won any of the three. Gerrans was also placed at Amstel three years ago, as was Matthews last year.

Albasini, 35, one of the OGE originals, was second at Fleche Wallone in 2012 and third last year.

White said the Amstel race, which features 34 short, sharp climbs, will be the team’s best chance and Hayman will be on the job again _ but not as a potential winner.

“He goes back to his tried and tested role as captain on the road, which is an incredibly important role for Michael and Gerro because he lives in the area and trains on the roads. It is a very technical course and forecast wet weather will make it more treacherous,” White said.

Hayman’s win has been inspirational, especially as he achieved it with a highly unorthodox preparation when a broken arm limited him to working out on a stationery bike.

“These guys get very anal with their training but he has shown if you’ve done the base work you can skin a cat more than one way. You don’t need the perfect prep,” White said, adding that it was “certainly as important as any victory we have had”.