2014 Australian time trial champion Michael Hepburn has re-signed with ORICA-GreenEDGE for the next two seasons in a partnership that will also see him return to the track next year.

Hepburn, who is an integral part of ORICA-GreenEDGE’s team time trial squad for the world championships this Sunday, will re-join the Australian team pursuit squad at the conclusion of the season in an effort to make the Rio Olympic Games track cycling team in 2016.

“With Rio on the horizon the track certainly does come back in the picture,” Hepburn said. “With the support of Cycling Australia and ORICA-GreenEDGE my goal is to make the team pursuit team ‎so we can see what is possible to achieve.

“Then on the road I am very motivated to have a big summer in Australia followed by another crack at the Giro where I have some personal goals but also in support of our developing general classification ambitions.”

Hepburn, a multiple world champion and Olympic silver medalist on the track, has been involved in many of ORICA-GreenEDGE’s team time trial successes, including at the 2014 and 2015 Giro d’Italia.

The 24-year old credited the environment for those successes and his decision to stay with the team.

“It was an easy decision,” Hepburn said. “I am very comfortable here working with my close friends and staff and I’m looking forward to spending a few more as well.”

“Both of my Giro experiences have been real highlights so far. To achieve the results we did in such a great environment where I could perform and enjoy doing it.

“Working in with the team time trial boys in those two races was also very rewarding. ‎ Winning two years in a row was a very memorable part of my career so far.”

Sport director Matt White said ORICA-GreenEDGE is pleased to support Queenslander’s Olympic ambitions.

“Michael has two goals next year,” White said. “One is on the road and there are some big goals for him there, but obviously the second part of the season is going to be about trying to become Olympic champion in Rio.

“We are fully supportive of his track ambitions and we are confident what he has done in the last couple of years on the road has added to his repertoire for both disciplines going forward.”

Michael Hepburn
Date of birth: 17 August 1991 (24)
Nationality: Australian
Turned pro: 2012

Palmares:
- 2014 Australian time trial champion
- Integral part of ORICA-GreenEDGE team time trial squad
- 1st 2014 and 2015 Giro d’Italia – team time trials