ORICA-GreenEDGE will extend its ambitions to a dual focus for next week’s Tour of Oman.

Debuting with four top ten places at the recent Tour of Qatar, Briton Adam Blythewill again be given the support of the team for sprint stages.

“In the more flatter stages we will ride for Blythe,” sport director Laurenzo Lapagesaid.  “I am confident that after three days recovery Adam will be able to make another step forward.”

In addition, two of the three new inclusions for Oman will be supported for an overall result.

Recently crowned Jayco Herald Sun Tour champion Cameron Meyer will make his international debut for 2015, replacing Mathew Hayman who has earned a break following a strong start to the season. 

Veteran Svein Tuft will also be replaced by another experienced campaigner in three-time Giro d’Italia stage winner Pieter Weening, with the mountain top finish on stage four shaping as crucial to the pairs general classification ambitions.

“We have Cameron Meyer coming in and he and Weening in second line will get the protection to go for a great overall in Oman,” Lapage said.

A late change will also see Leigh Howard, who crashed on stage five of the Tour of Qatar and has not raced since as a precaution, replaced by 2013 world under-23 time trial champion Damien Howson.

“Leigh is ok but we won't take a risk with him. He needs to recover and make new X-rays once he arrives in Europe.”

Blythe and the three inclusions will be joined by Classics specialists Mitch Dockerand Jens Keukeleire and strong workhorses Brett Lancaster and Jens Mourisstraight from the Tour of Qatar line up.

ORICA-GreenEDGE at the Tour of Oman (17-22 February):

Adam Blythe
Mitch Docker
Damien Howson
Jens Keukeleire
Brett Lancaster
Cameron Meyer
Jens Mouris
Pieter Weening