Tour Down Under 2016: The workhorses behind Orica-GreenEDGE’s TDU dominance

THEY are Simon Gerrans’ bodyguards, his workhorses and importantly his mates who in the past week were responsible for delivering their leader to a record fourth Tour Down Under title in Adelaide.

24/01/16 - Orica GreenEDGE team mates celebrate Simon Gerrans (left) winning the 2016 Tour Down Under in Adelaide. Photo Tom Huntley

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THEY are Simon Gerrans’ bodyguards, his workhorses and importantly his mates who in the past week were responsible for delivering their leader to a record fourth Tour Down Under title in Adelaide.

Orica-GreenEDGE’s seven-man team went into the race with two objectives — to not only win the ochre jersey with Gerrans but dominate the sprints with 21-year-old prodigy Caleb Ewan.

Sunday night having won the overall title and four of the six stages as well as the opening night criterium they had done both, and capped the most dominant TDU by a single team in memory.

“Often you see teams want too much and they come away with nothing so it was a bit of a risk,” Gerrans said.

“But everyone did exactly what was asked of them — and some. We saw some fantastic riding by Heppy, Durbo and Albasini, Mat Hayman protected us well in the bunch and Daryl Impey did some sensational lead-outs.

“Each one of them in their own right could do some fantastic individual results in this Tour Down Under but they (were) riding in support of myself and Caleb.

Orica-GreenEDGE team-mates celebrate Simon Gerrans (left) winning the 2016 Tour Down Under. Photo: Tom Huntley

“Everybody lifted their game and it’s really nice to repay the guys’ work with such a successful week.”

From Michael Hepburn who spent more time on the front of the peloton than any other of the 139 riders controlling breakways to Luke Durbridge who wasn’t far behind him.

From team captain Mat Hayman and Michael Albasini who provided cool heads and protection in the bunch to even Ewan who was a protected rider but still rode on the front during the queen stage to Old Willunga Hill.

And then there was Daryl Impey who was the only man left in front of Gerrans and Ewan before they launched their sprints and the last man still standing for Gerrans on the climbs.

Impey and Gerrans have forged a close friendship which in 2013 saw the Australian hand the Tour de France’s yellow jersey to his South African teammate.

TDU Stage 6 in pictures

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“Simon and I didn’t know each other that well before I joined the team and we’ve had some really great moments and I think that’s why we’ve been able to commit for each other so well because we’ve had that extra bond and friendship,” Impey said.

“When you feel valued in a team that’s what changes things for you. When you know the team is counting on you there’s a lot in it.

“And when you know you’ve got a guy that can do the job ... we just commit to it.”

If team director Matt White told his riders to hit the bitumen so Gerrans or Ewan could ride over them to avoid a bump in the road this week they probably would have.

“They’ve committed to every single task I’ve given them this week,” White said.

“It’s one thing having plans and ambitions but the way the boys have delivered every single day has been a pleasure to work with them.”

But as good as the team is collectively, it still needs someone who can finish it off and Gerrans has proven he is still the man for the job.

At 35 he started the season having not won a bike race in over 12 months after a crash-ruined 2015, but this week he showed the sort of irresistible form that will make him hard to beat in any race he targets including the Spring Classics where he has won Milan-San Remo and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

“Simon is a great leader and to see him back on the winners’ podium is a really good feeling for the team because everyone knows how hard he worked last year to get back to this level,” White said.

“And to see him get back there is really gratifying for the boys.”

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Originally published as Tour Down Under 2016: The workhorses behind Orica-GreenEDGE’s TDU dominance