Having already finished on the podium twice, Simon Gerrans has set his sights on the win when he lines up as Orica-GreenEDGE leader in Sunday's Amstel Gold Race. While they have several cards to play in the Dutch classic, the team expect to play more of an outsider role in the rest of the Ardennes week.

One of the most important weeks of the spring season for ORICA-GreenEDGE begins on Sunday with the Amstel Gold Race. With multiple cards to play at each of the three Ardennes Classics, the Australian outfit lines up in Maastricht with a strong roster to support the team’s big ambitions. 

AMSTEL GOLD RACE // APRIL 20, 2014

Simon Gerrans equalled his best Amstel Gold Race result last year when he rode himself onto the podium. Second in the chase group sprint, Gerrans claimed third place behind Roman Kreuziger (Tinkoff-Saxo), who took the win from a late race race break, and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), who edged out Gerrans in the three-up sprint.

The team is returning with nearly the identical group as last year with the inclusion of classics veteran and local Mathew Hayman. The team aims to improve upon the result achieved last year. 

“We have a great team for Amstel," Sport Director Matt White said. "We’ve got plenty of cards to play beyond our team leader Simon Gerrans, and that is a luxury in a race like this. Of the three races next week, Amstel is the one that suits the characteristics of our team the best."

“I’m really happy with my condition at the moment leading into Amstel Gold," Gerrans said. "Although it’s been a turbulent spring for me with sickness and few minor setbacks, the final phase of my preparation for the Ardennes has gone really well. I’ve put the rungs on the board with Amstel in the past, so I’m probably going to be the guy the team looks to get a result on Sunday, and I feel up for the challenge.”

“The goal is to win, but there are a lot of other teams and riders with the exact same goal," Michael Matthews said. "I think the main difference is that we have several guys that could win this race where others team might only have one. It gives us good confidence to know that we have so many different options because on race day, the race could unfold any number of ways, and we have every option covered.”

ORICA-GreenEDGE for Amstel Gold Race:

Christian Meier (CAN)
Daryl Impey (RSA)
Mathew Hayman (AUS)
Michael Albasini (SWI)
Michael Matthews (AUS)
Pieter Weening (NED)
Simon Clarke (AUS)
Simon Gerrans (AUS)

FLÈCHE WALLONE  // APRIL 23, 2014

While many teams field identical squads for the three Ardennes, ORICA-GreenEDGE will bring in several sets of fresh legs – young, neo-pro legs. Adam Yates and Simon Yates all feature in the team’s line-up. Cameron Meyer and Ivan Santaromita lend the experience alongside Albasini, Weening, Clarke and Meier.

In the team’s maiden season, Michael Albasini surprised when he stormed up the Mur de Huy and onto the Flèche Wallonne podium.

“Flèche always comes down to the final ascent of the incredibly steep Mur de Huy," White said. "Position matters and so does what you’ve done during the day. While we don’t have the best climbers in the world, we have guys that can get a good result here. We are aiming for a top ten out of one of them.”

ORICA-GreenEDGE for Flèche Wallone:
Adam Yates (GBR)
Cameron Meyer (AUS)
Christian Meier (CAN)
Ivan Santaromita (ITA)
Michael Albasini (SWI)
Pieter Weening (NED)
Simon Clarke (AUS)
Simon Yates (GBR)

LIÈGE-BASTOGNE- LIÈGE // APRIL 27, 2014

It is the 100th running of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, giving an extra air of distinction to the fourth monument of the season. La Doyenne, or the ‘Old Lady’ of the classics, returns to its roots with a slightly altered  course that pays homage to the climbs that have proven historically significant throughout a century of racing. The longest and the hilliest of the three Ardennes Classics, Liège-Bastogne-Liège typically favours the climber over the rouleur. 

Simon Gerrans rounded out the top ten in Liège last year, finishing 18” behind Dan Martin (Garmin Sharp) who soloed to victory ahead Rodriguez and Valverde. 

“It is the hardest one day race of the year," White said. "It’s the most taxing. It’s a very, very solid road race. We have a competitive team and I am looking forward to see how the boys will fair on such a demanding course.”

“This is the big one," Gerrans said. "It’s the only monument in the Ardennes week, and it’s one of the oldest races on the calendar. Of the riders that target the Ardennes, there are many that dream of winning Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

"It’s a more demanding course than Amstel or Flèche. The climbs are a bit longer and quite a bit harder. Generally a climber who can be very good over six hours of racing wins this one. This sets Liège apart Amstel and Flèche, where an explosive rider like myself has a better chance.”

ORICA-GreenEDGE for Liège-Bastogne-Liège:

Cameron Meyer (AUS)
Christian Meier (CAN)
Daryl Impey (RSA)
Ivan Santaromita (ITA)
Michael Albasini (SWI)
Pieter Weening (NED)
Simon Clarke (AUS)
Simon Gerrans (AUS)