After being one of the most successful riders of the 2014 season, defending Australian champion Simon Gerrans admitted, that keeping the national jersey will be the first of his objectives next year. The Orica-GreenEDGE rider went a step further, though, and controversially claimed that he would prefer some of his fellow countrymen – even from a different team – to present the green and golden colours in Europe in 2015 then Cadel Evans to take them into retirement.

"I'd love to wear this jersey for another season," Gerrans told Cycling Central. "It's something I'm really proud of - to be the Australian champion."

Admitting that defending the national jersey will be his first priority in 2015, Gerrans claimed that the battle for the national title probably wouldn’t come down only to him and Evans. The 34-year old Australian said that his fellow Orica-GreenEDGE team-mates shouldn’t be ruled out of the competition, and even though he didn’t point out to particular names it’s not entirely difficult to guess whom he meant.

"It's more than just a two-rider race, for sure," he said. "It was a pretty hotly contested battle (this) year and it wasn't just down to Cadel and myself.”

"There are many, many guys capable of winning this national title."

"The big priority for myself and Orica-GreenEDGE is that the jersey remains in the team."

The Australian national championships, held from January 7-11 in Ballerat, will be Evans’ third-last race before ending his glittering career

Asked about Evans - openly as always – Gerrans said that despite a huge respect he has for the 37-year old veteran, he wouldn’t like him to take the national title and the green and golden jersey into the retirement with him. If he had a choice, he would rather be beaten by fellow countryman from some other team, able to proudly represent their country while racing in Europe later in the season.

"Do you want something controversial? - no way," Gerrans said on Evans winning the national title. "It would be a real shame for someone to win the national title, get the green and gold jersey, and then retire.”

"We wouldn't see it for the next 12 months."

"The priority is obviously to get it to myself or one of my team-mates but, otherwise, I think it's great to see the Australian champion racing in Europe."

Orica-GreenEDGE riders dominated both road and individual time trial events this year, with Luke Durbridge winning the latter, but it seems that the young Australian will have hard times with defenting his 2014 title. With the race against the clock being held on a hillier course near Ballerat next season, Evans’ team-mate Rohan Dennis will be the one to beat following his highly consistent performances in the discipline within last twelve months crowned with stand-out showing in the World Championships held in Ponferrada.