Simon Clarke leaves Orica-GreenEDGE for Cannondale-Garmin with no regrets
SIMON Clarke, a founder member of the Orica-GreenEDGE team, has signed with Cannondale-Garmin, where he will join fellow Aussie Nathan Haas.
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SIMON Clarke, who has been with the Australian cycling team Orica-GreenEDGE since its inception four years ago, will go into this weekend’s world championship road race knowing he has found a new home.
Clarke, 29, from Melbourne, has signed with the American Cannondale-Garmin team, where he will join fellow Australian Nathan Haas.
Clarke and Haas are both winners of the Herald Sun Tour. Clarke’s impressive resume also includes stages at all three Grand Tours, a spell in the leader’s pink jersey at this year’s Italian Giro after GreenEDGE won the team time trial, and second place in the inaugural Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road race.
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Clarke’s contract with GreenEDGE was not going to be renewed but he leaves with no hard feelings.
“It’s been an amazing journey — brilliant riders, staff and fans,” he tweeted.
He said he was “super-motivated for a fresh start.”
“There is a really balanced feel about the team with a nice blend of super talented emerging riders complementing those with greater experience.
“I like its vision and feel riding for Cannondale-Garmin will give me fresh opportunities.”
He will join last year’s silver medallist Simon Gerrans, Michael Matthews, Adam Hansen, Mathew Hayman, Heinrich Haussler, Mitchell Docker, Luke Durbridge and Jay McCarthy in a powerful Australian line-up for Sunday’s 259km championship ride in Richmond, Virginia.
Elite men’s road director Brad McGee said the course, which includes three cobbled climbs in the final four kilometres of a circuit that has to be negotiated 16 times, was deceptively difficult and would lead to a race of attrition.
“We are in a very fortunate era to not only have experienced and battle ready athletes, but to have these athletes willing and eager to ride for their country,” McGee said.
“Each of our nine riders will have essential roles and it will be how they combine that will determine our overall success.”
Greenedge stars Gerrans and Matthews are expected to be given the opportunity to win, with the others providing support.
GreenEDGE has also announced that Swiss star Michael Albasini, who will represent his own country tomorrow, has agreed to a two-year contract extension.
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