Tour Down Under 2016: It’s time for Simon Gerrans to step up and shine

AUSTRALIAN team Orica-GreenEDGE will go all-in to set up Simon Gerrans for Stage 2 victory in Stirling Wednesday where the three-time champion has a history of producing a tour-winning move.

Simon Gerrans makes his way to Lyndoch. Photo: Sarah Reed.

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AUSTRALIAN team Orica-GreenEDGE will go all-in to set up Simon Gerrans for Stage 2 victory in Stirling Wednesday where the three-time champion has a history of producing a tour-winning move.

As superstar sprinter Caleb Ewan proved he is by far the fastest rider in this week’s race by winning Stage 1 in Lyndoch Tuesday, the team now shifts its focus to helping Gerrans inch closer to an historic fourth title.

The last two times Gerrans has won the TDU — in 2012 and 2014 — he has been on the podium in Stirling and gained crucial time bonuses ahead of climbs up Corkscrew and Willunga.

“Stirling is a bit of a make or break stage. For a guy like myself if I can grab some time on Stirling it really sets up the next few days,” Gerrans said Tuesday.

“Today none of the GC guys got anything so it’s still even but it really kicks off on Wednesday.

“It’s a tough finish to gauge. I’ve had some great legs there in the past but haven’t been able to win there, so I think you need a bit of luck as well as good legs.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better start with what Caleb has been able to do so if we can keep that going it would be awesome.”

OGE director Matt White said Gerrans and the team must look for the 10, 6 or 4 second bonuses on offer for the top three placegetters, particularly on Wednesday’s stage.

“It is a crucial stage, it’s no secret how we have to win this tour — and that’s with seconds,” White said.

“And that starts Wednesday, it’s a stage that suits Gerrans’ characteristics and we’ll certainly be looking for him to win.”

Even Ewan, the 21-year-old star who has won both the People’s Choice Classic and Stage 1 to take the ochre jersey, conceded it was not his plan to try to defend the overall lead.

“I need to thank Simon for sharing the team with me,’’ he said. “If he’d asked for the whole team to ride for him we’d do so.

“For a guy like that to tell me you can have your go I’m really grateful,” Ewan said.

“I don’t really have the ambition to keep the jersey.

“We’re going for overall with Simon and I don’t know what the plan is but I’m sure for him it will be to get a few seconds.”

A genuine all-rounder, Gerrans has shown a liking for Stirling’s tricky uphill finish which comes after 132km and five laps of the town in the Adelaide Hills.

In 2012 when he won his second TDU, Gerrans was third on the Stirling stage behind Will Clarke who won from a breakaway and only Michael Matthews was faster in the sprint.

Then in 2014 he was second behind Diego Ulissi in Stirling which helped set him up for his record-breaking third TDU crown. He also finished fourth in Stirling in 2011 but didn’t figure on general classification.

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Originally published as Tour Down Under 2016: It’s time for Simon Gerrans to step up and shine