Orica-GreenEDGE had all eyes on them in today's first race in the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic, the very fast Ritchie Boulevard Criterium. Despite having both Matthew Goss and Luke Durbridge in the race-winning 7-rider breakaway, the team could only manage 5th and 6th but is moderately satisfied with its start to what will be a hectic Australian summer.

In Europe, Orica-GreenEDGE may often fly a bit under the radar but during the Australian summer, the team is the one to beat. That will be the case in the Australian national championships, the Tour Down Under and the Jayco Herald Sun Tour during the next month and it was certainly the case in today's opener of the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic.

The 4-race series consists of four criteriums that allow the riders to get their legs up to speed before the major events later in the month and Orica-GreenEDGE was keen to impress right from the beginning of their season. With a line-up consisting of major stars Matthew Goss, Luke Durbridge, Michael Hepburn, Mitchelle Docker and Leigh Howard, the team had plenty of both raw horsepower and fast finishing speed to excel in the very fast opening criterium.

The expected bunch sprint never materialized as a 7-rider breakaway ended up deciding the race. Orica-GreenEDGE was well-represented in the move with Durbridge and Goss after the Australian road race and time trial champion had bridged across on his own over two blistering laps.

With two riders up the road, the team was satisfied with the composition of the break and played a big part in preventing riders like defending champion Caleb Ewan and Steele Von Hoff in getting back into contention.

“The break formed early today, we had two guys out of the seven escapees, with Durbridge and Goss,” said Sport Director Matt Wilson. “The other guys did a great job of controlling and blocking behind in the bunch, which gave Durbo and Gossy the best chance of a win."

With Goss being one of the fastest sprinters in the world, all eyes were on Durbridge to control the break and set up a sprint win for his speedy teammate. However, the former Milan-Sanremo winner was not at his best and the team instead chose to rely on a different tactic.

“Most guys were watching Goss for the win today,” Wilson said. “But he wasn’t at his best- it’s a bit early in the season for him. The boys talked during the race and decided Durbo had the best shot. The explosive jumps out of the corners don’t suit Durbo, so he knew his best chance was to get away alone rather than wait for a sprint. He was in super form today, and he made multiple attempts to get away from the break, but he was just marked so heavily that it never eventuated."

The team couldn't prevent a sprint finish and with Goss not up for the challenge, they had no chance against a fast finisher like Zakkari Dempster (SASI) who usually rides for NetApp-Endura. The team had to settle for 5th and 6th with Durbridge and Goss respectively.

The rest of the peloton was lapped by the break but Howard proved that he is ready for the next three days of racing when he won the sprint for 8th, thus earning a few points for the overall standings that is decided on points rather than time.

“Obviously we would have liked to get the win from that position," Wilson said. On paper fifth and sixth doesn’t look like a great result, but we aren’t disappointed given the way the guys rode today. Leigh Howard also rode really well, he helped control the race, then took out the bunch kick for eighth place. That gives him some points for the overall, so he'll be looking to take his chances in the coming stages."

The team expects to have a better shot at victory in the next two criteriums.

“The next couple of days suit us a lot better than today did," Wilson said. "Today’s circuit is just such a gamble; it’s so short and aggressive. The next couple of stages are more road-style races, they’re big and open and better suited to our guys’ abilities.  We’ll definitely be out for the win tomorrow."

The series continues tomorrow with the Eastern Gardens Criterium where Dempster will wear the first leader's jersey.