Being arguably the most active player on the transfer market this winter, MTN-Qhubeka brought on board several highly talented but recently unsuccessful fast finishers in likes of Matthew Goss, Tyler Farrar or Edvald Boasson Hagen, believing in their abilities to reignite their inner fire. The South African squad will have a chance to test those efforts in the beginning of February, as they are set to line-up at the Jayco Herald Sun Tour with a roster build around the former two sprinters.

Held from February 4-8, the Herald Sun Tour was expected to serve as a playground for the rising Australian sprinting star Caleb Ewan, but apparently young Orica-GreenEDGE rider will have to clash with experienced at the WorldTour level fast finishers in likes of Goss and Farrar in order to claim his first victory in the professional career.

Eager to find his momentum again after unsuccessful spell at the Orica-GreenEDGE, former Milano-Sanremo winner was excited about a prospect of racing on the home soil.

“The Herald Sun Tour is a tried and tested race, always a nice race no matter which end of the year it is held,” Goss said.

A two-time stage winner at the Giro d’Italia and world championships silver medallist, Goss joins MTN-Qhubeka eager for a fresh start off the back of an often frustrating three seasons with Australian outfit, ORICA-GreenEDGE. A start at the Jayco Herald Sun Tour is key to Goss’ tilt at the spring Classics in Europe throughout April which can PROVIDE a launch pad to a Tour de France return.

“It will be nice to have it under the belt before we head back to Europe,” he said. “This one will be my first race since last September [other than the Cadel Evans race] so I'm coming off a big break. I’m Definitely aiming to be right up at the pointy end. It’s a good opportunity to show people I'm not gone yet. There's no better platform to do that than here in Australia.”

Like Goss, Farrar who hails from the US, is in his first season with South African-registered MTN-Qhubeka. The 30-year-old ended 2014 with a flurry of results, including the stage win at the Tour of Beijing en route to victory in the points classification, along with a host of top 10s – all signs that Farrar is ready to return to his best. 2015 marks his debut appearance at the iconic Australian stage race.

The powerful duo will be supported by domestiques Serge Pauwels, Songezo Jim and three-time Irish Champion Matt Brammeier, who is also a new signing for MTN.

The MTN-Qhubeka roster for 2015 Jayco Herald Sun Tour consists of:
Matthew Goss, Tyler Farrar, Serge Pauwels, Songezo Jim, Matt Brammeier and Nicolas Dougall