GreenEDGE stack squad for Paris-Nice race

ORICA-GREENEDGE has added an extra sprinter to its team for the revamped European season-opening Paris-Nice stage race.

Matt Goss will spearhead Orica-GreenEDGE’s assault on Paris-Nice. Picture by Colleen Petc

ORICA-GREENEDGE has added an extra sprinter to their team for the revamped European season-opening Paris-Nice stage race.

Matt Goss and Michael Matthews have both been chosen to spearhead the bid for podium honours in the four flatter opening stages from Sunday.

Orica-GreenEDGE go into the eight-day race, known as the Race to the Sun, leading the UCI World Tour standings thanks to Simon Gerrans' home triumph in the Tour Down Under in January.

This year's race is very different.

For the first time since 1955 it does not feature an individual time trial, nor does it have any summit finishes.

Race organisers have billed it a race for the daring. Many of the stages are over tough, undulating routes which should suit the likes of Gerrans and teammate Michael Albasini.

But Goss and Matthews should be in the element in the first half of the race.

“The main objective of Paris-Nice this year is to win a couple stages,” said Orica-GreenEDGE sport director Dave McPartland.

“Basically, we're going to support Gossy on the flat, flat stages and Bling (Matthews) when there is a little uphill finish.”

“Gerro (Gerrans), Alba (Albasini) and (Jens) Keukeleire are our three guys for the hillier stages.

“They can get in moves from further out. They are our punchers.”

Rounding out the Orica-GreenEDGE roster will be road captain Mathew Hayman, sprint lead out rider Mitch Docker and WorldTour debutant Simon Yates.