Despite having the whole pressure on their shoulders, Orica-GreenEDGE team has lived up to those expectations and used their strength in numbers to tactically outplay other contenders and claim their third consecutive Australian national road title, the second one for 33-year old Simon Gerrans. Now, while being the only World Tour level team originating from Australia, the squad is expected to play prominent roles and possibly to “walk away” with victories in both Tour Down Under and the Jayco Herald Sun, the only UCI events held on their home ground.

The pressure was on from the very beginning of the Australian national road race, since it was clear that being among the two teams strongest in numbers participating in the event, and unquestionably beating the second one – Drapac Team, in terms of riders’ quality and experience, Orice-GreenEDGE was forced to take the responsibility of playing out the race on its tactical side.

The Drapac team indeed turned out to be the most formidable contender for Orica, as they animated the race for a long period of time with an aggressive riding and many breakaway attempts, but in the end, as admits OGE sports director Matt White, the quality of his riders turned out to be a decisive factor in claiming the win.

While also reveals, that reliable Gerrans was the Orica-GreenEDGE “plan A” for national title as it became clear that their strong representation in the breakaway couldn’t outsprint other riders who managed to make it to the leading group.

"We had a clear plan of what we wanted to achieve and to have guys we were confident with in the breakaway, [Luke] Durbridge and [Simon] Clarke, we also knew that we had to have the guarantee of the win or otherwise we were going to shut it down," he said.

"Clarkey went a couple of times but couldn't shake the likes of Bernie Sulzberger, [Adam] Hansen and [Steele] von Hoff so close to the finish so we went with our 'Plan A' which is Simon Gerrans. He delivered, so tactically it went well."

White also explains that former national champion Luke Durbridge this time agreed to sacrifice his personal ambitions and to play the supporting role to his team-mates, after he narrowly missed the opportunity to claim the title in time-trial race.

"We had a meeting Saturday night and everyone was clear that the important thing was to stick to the plan. Individual goals have to go out the window when it comes to a race like that," White explained.

"Durbo had his chance, for example if he'd gone away solo with three laps to go, we were happy for that to go to the line."

In a "strange race" White told Cyclingnews that GreenEdge felt they were accurate in predicting and responding to Drapac's tactics.

"The problem that those guys had, they had the same numbers we did, but they haven't got the quality of riders that we do that can finish off the job and that's always a problem.”

"If it came down to the best of the best on the last climb, they were just a little bit short. [Darren] Lapthorne was good but just wasn't good enough to go with the likes of [Cadel] Evans, [Richie] Porte, Gerro or Cam Meyer. So that's the difference."

Now, while being the only World Tour level team originating from Australia, the squad is expected to play prominent roles and possibly to “walk away” with victories in both Tour Down Under and the Jayco Herald Sun, the only UCI events held on their home ground.

The confidence certainly has to be on their side, as Orica-GreenEDGE riders managed to claim victories in all three championship races they participated it this season, and course if those races cannot surprise them even in a bit.

Even though they have won only one stage race to date – 2013 Tour the Pologne thanks to Peter Weening, White expects much more from his riders in the 2014 season.

"We've seen the course, it's nothing new for us. It's our race," White said.

"Sometimes you get cabin fever down at the Hilton for two weeks so we'll come in late besides [Daryl] Impey who comes in Tuesday night. We'll do one re-con day on Friday and obviously the goal for us is to win the race."

"When GC does become an objective, you have to put things into perspective but we'll take it day-by-day and see how things are going," he said.

"Obviously GC is a big goal but we do have some fast guys there with [Matt] Gossy and [Michael] Matthews. The first stage is the Cancer Classic and we'll be looking for a win there."

Orica sports director points out to other main contenders for the upcoming UCI events held on Australian ground, paying special attention to Movistar, Germin-Sharp and Team Sky formidable squads, considering the recent performances in national championships as an important indicator of current form.

"Moreno is always good this time of year and Movistar will have a fit team in January, they always come out with a complete team for Tour Down Under."

"Because Tour Down Under isn't a mountainous race, there can always be surprises like last year's winner (Tom-Jelte Slagter) who no one has really heard of before."

"The three guys from the podium will be the same contenders for the overall," he said.

"I think they will have a really good team and can go with a two pronged attack of Geraint Thomas and Richie.