2014 Giro d’Italia stage winner Luka Mezgec will add valuable punch to the sprint group at ORICA-GreenEDGE from 2016 having signed for the next two seasons.

Mezgec joins the Australian outfit, after three years with Giant-Alpecin, with a wealth of experience leading out some of the best sprinters in the world including Marcel Kittel and John Degenkolb, as well as some pretty handy personal results.

“I've been pro for a few seasons now and I'm ready to take the next step in my career,” the Slovenian said. “Doing it with ORICA-GreenEDGE is really the perfect scenario for me and I'm very thankful for getting this opportunity.

“I see myself as someone who can help out the fast guys on the team in the sprints as a lead-out guy and in more selective races where there are a few hills too. I'm really looking forward to giving everything for the team's ambitions.

“I've been watching from the outside how the team functions and it's clear to see that riders and staff really work well together on and off the bike. The possibility to become part of that is huge for me.”

Amongst Mezgec’s personal WorldTour palmares is a final stage victory at the Giro d’Italia last year, two stage wins at the Tour of Beijing and three at the Volta Ciclsta a Catalunya.

Excited to have the sprinter onboard, ORICA-GreenEDGE sport director Matt White is looking forward to utilising the 27-year-old’s offerings.

“We are really pleased we have managed to get Luka on board,” White said. “He brings us two major things… Number one, he is a winner in his own right.”

“To win a stage in a bunch sprint in the Giro d’Italia and multiple WorldTour events proves that he is at a very high level despite still having a lot of developing to go.

“The second one is that he has had experience working with the best sprinters in the world, in Marcel Kittel and John Degenkolb, and that is invaluable alongside the likes of Caleb Ewan and Michael Matthews.”

As the team continues to develop it’s sprint group with Ewan taking a stage win on Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a Espana and Matthews recently completing his first Tour de France, Mezgec is a welcome addition to the youthful lineup.

“Luka really adds some explosive power to our sprint group,” White continued.

“The best lead out riders are actually world-class sprinters themselves, so it’s not only that experience he brings, but he also has the ability to pack a really good sprint himself and that’s what you need.

“He is a big boy, more than six foot tall, but he also climbs really well which brings him into the equation for Michael and others, as well as Caleb.”

Luka Mezgec

Date of Birth: 17th June 1988 (27)
Nationality: Slovenian
Turned pro: 2013

Palmares:

-       2014 Giro d’Italia stage winner (stage 21)
-       Three-time stage winner at Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
-       Two-time stage winner at Tour of Beijing
-       Lead out rider for Marcel Kittel and John Degenkolb