Meyer explains team's advantage in having two riders competing for overall
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Cameron Meyer talks to the audience.(Image credit: Mark Gunter)
Simon Gerrans (GreenEDGE)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Michael Matthews (Rabobank) beat Simon Gerrans (GreenEdge) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) for second.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
GreenEdge used up some valuable energy today in its pursuit of victory at the Santos Tour Down Under, but according to team director Matt White, it was well worth it.
Yesterday Cyclingnews reported that the team was worried about Andre Greipel, however that scenario has been thrown out the window today, with the German conceding big time and the ochre leader's jersey - making good on his comments yesterday that he had "no chance" for the overall.
"We wanted to get rid of Greipel, and we succeeded," said White bluntly in response to a question about why the team was so active at the front of the peloton today.
His sprint wins on stages 1 and 3 saw him with a handy 20 seconds in accumulated bonifications, and with stage 6 also expected to end in a bunch dash, it didn’t seem unlikely that he could pick up another 10 there. But he struggled with the pace on the Menglers Hill climb, eventually waving the white flag to finish seven minutes and 45 seconds down on the main field.
Two aces to play on Willunga
For GreenEdge though, the real battle is tomorrow which will see the team with two options in Cameron Meyer and Simon Gerrans as genuine chances for the stage win, and in turn the overall. Meyer told Cyclingnews that though Gerrans had earned himself top status after his performance at nationals, he would be another card when the race becomes more selective late in the race tomorrow.
"If Simon has a problem for whatever reason, punctures or isn't feeling good, I'm there. Maybe I can go up the road, and that'll allow Simon to sit on. There are plenty of different scenarios. It's great to have a two-pronged attack, but if I need to sacrifice myself on Willunga I will."
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Meyer added that he was confident that himself and Gerrans could both be in a select 10-man group at the end of the race, where other teams might be isolated.
"I don't think there are any other teams that have two guys who are capable of going up Willunga as fast as they'll need to. If we come to the last kilometre and that's the situation, it's definitely an advantage."
Alex Hinds is a graduate of Economics and Political Science from Sydney University. Growing up in the metropolitan area of the city he quickly became a bike junkie, dabbling in mountain and road riding. Alex raced on the road in his late teens, but with the time demands of work and university proving too much, decided not to further pursue full-time riding.
If he was going to be involved in cycling in another way the media seemed the next best bet and jumped at the opportunity to work in the Sydney office of Cyclingnews when an offer arose in early 2011.
Though the WorldTour is of course a huge point of focus throughout the year, Alex also takes a keen interest in the domestic racing scene with a view to helping foster the careers of the next generation of cycling.
When not writing for Cyclingnews Alex is a strong proponent of the awareness of cyclists on the road in Sydney having had a few close run-ins with city traffic in the past.
