ORICA-GreenEDGE line up at the GP du Canton d’Argovie this Thursday with a strong team in support of 2013 winner Michael Albasini.

Swiss rider Albasini has an impressive history in the race, consistently finishing in the top five and twice winning the event in 2011 and 2013.

New Zealander Sam Bewley and Dane Magnus Cort will be the big engines for Albasini alongside new signing Cheung King Lok who is making his first appearance in the race.

Sport director Dave McPartland is looking forward to the race and is optimistic about the team’s chances of achieving a result.

“Our main objective is to try and support Michael (Albasini) as best we can,” said McPartland. “This is a race that he has won before, he is riding in front of a home crowd and as always he wants to perform well on home turf.

“We have a good squad with guys coming in from the Giro d’Italia with good form and the rest from the Tour of Luxembourg. The team is fully motivated to get the job done.”

Basque climber Amets Txurruka and Australian sprinter Caleb Ewan complete the team for ORICA-GreenEDGE.

“As you’d expect it is usually a fast and aggressive race on a difficult course,” explained McPartland. “Michael has the experience required to get a good result here and the team is nicely balanced to try and help him achieve that.”

The 53rd edition of the GP du Canton d’Argovie covers 188kilometres over fifteen demanding circuits of the town of Gippingen in northern Switzerland.

ORICA-GreenEDGE at the GP du Canton d’Argovie (Thursday, 9th June):

Michael Albasini (SUI, 35)

Sam Bewley (NZ, 28)

Magnus Cort (DEN, 23)

Caleb Ewan (AUS, NSW, 21)

Cheung King Lok (CHI, 25)

Amets Txurruka (ESP, 32)