After two years working for the Orica-GreenEDGE team, Robbie McEwen will not continue his work as a technical advisor in 2014. Having relocated to Australia, the former sprinter will be unable to be in Europe for the required amount of time but will stay involved in cycling through different projects.
In his time as a top sprinter, Robbie McEwen became famous for his detailed and insightful post-race descriptions of his sprints and when the Australian decided to end his career, the Orica-GreenEDGE team was quick to make use of this ability. Working in a role as technical advisor for the team, McEwen has done reconnaissance of sprint stages and given advice to some of the team's young sprinters.
However, the parties have now decided to part ways and McEwen will not continue his work in 2014. In an interview with Velonation, he confirms that his two-year contract wasn't renewed when it expired at the end of 2013.
After having been one of the best sprinters for more than a decade, McEwen signed a contract with Orica-GreenEDGE for its inaugural 2012 season, with the plan to end his career at the Tour of California and then transition into his role as a technical advisor. Having lived in Belgium during his time as a rider, he also relocated to Australia with his family and this is the main reason for his decision to end his association with the team.
“With the bulk of the racing and the team obviously being [based] in Europe and me in Australia, it wasn't really feasible for the team to renew the contract- I’m very grateful for the opportunity that I was given by Gerry Ryan and Shayne Bannan," he said, referring to the main backer and the manager of the team.
However, there is no risk that McEwen will be bored in the future. He plans to stay involved in cycling through different projects. He is an ambassador for Cycle Asia, has his own granfondo and plans to run a VIP tour to the Giro. He will do freelance commentary work, starting later this month at the Tour Down Under and has a self-titled range of clothing and chamois cream.
During his career, McEwen won 12 stages and three green jerseys in the Tour de France.
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