Unitedhealthcare has selected their roster for the Jayco Herald Sun Tour which starts on Wednesday, and the Americans will be led by a couple of Australians who have finished on the podium in the past. Ben Day and Karl Menzies are eager to return to a race that has delivered them success in the past and will spearhead a team in which no rider is under the age of 30.

Former Jayco Herald Sun Tour placegetters Ben Day and Karl Menzies will headline an experienced UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team when they make a return to Australia’s oldest stage race next week. The two Australians will be looking to improve on their previous podium performances – Day third in 2008 and Menzies second in 2007 – for the American outfit which will not field a rider under the age of 30.

Joining the pair is Italian all rounder Davide Frattini and three Americans – Adrian Hegyvary, who is expected to feature in the Melbourne prologue on the first evening as a strong time triallist, Bradley White and 2008 Tour of Utah champion Jeffry Louder who could be poised as the team’s general classification chance as a strong climber expected to handle the final Arthurs Seat challenge which comes on the final day.

Day, 35, reflected on the Jayco Herald Sun Tour’s influence on his long career.

“Most of the team in the past have had success at the Jayco Herald Sun Tour during our careers so it's a race that we see as instrumental in where we are today,” Day said. “It's been a few years since I had the opportunity to race it and it's not often that we race in Australia so that's very motivating.  

“I think the Jayco Herald Sun Tour will be on a higher level this year with the new dates.  As a team, we are coming to race aggressively and look for opportunities throughout the race. We are looking forward to kicking off in Melbourne and know that this will be the start to another successful season.”

For Menzies, another Jayco Herald Sun Tour stage victory would be a fairytale.

“When I started racing, the Herald Sun Tour represented the pinnacle of the sport within Australia,” Menzies said. “To be able to return back to this race is a great honour for myself and the team. Team UnitedHealthcare is here to win stages and we also have some great guys for the GC.

“For me personally, I would love to win a stage. I have family and friends coming to watch so it would pretty special to win a stage. Although I'm not as young as I used to be, being able to race back in Australia has been a great motivator throughout the US winter.

“I have some great memories of the race which span back quite a few years. I have been given some great opportunities in the Sun Tour and have been lucky enough to have won a few stages and wear the leaders’ jersey several times.”

The Jayco Herald Sun Tour starts on Wednesday with a prologue and runs until Sunday. The race has attracted a strong line-up that includes ProTeams Orica-GreenEDGE - which will be led by recent Tour Down Under winner Simon Gerrans - Garmin-Sharp and Cannondale.

Unitedhealthcare for the Jayco Herald Sun Tour

Davide FRATTINI (ITA, 35): An all-rounder with more than two decades of experience, plays a crucial rols in the team's success.

Benjamin DAY (AUS, QLD, 35): 2006 Commonwealth Games time trial silver medallist, 2003 national time trial champion, 2004 Tour Down Under stage winner, 3rd overall at the 2008 Jayco Herald Sun Tour.

Adrian HEGYVARY (USA, 30): Strong time trialist and key leadout man.

Jeffry LOUDER (USA, 36): 2008 Tour of Utah and 2009 Bedlands Bicycle Classic champion. 3rd 2009 USA road race, strong climber with mountain classification victories at 2005 Tour of Breauce and 2007 Tour of Missouri.

Karl MENZIES (AUS, TAS, 36): 2nd overall and 1st of stage 1 of 2007 Jayco Herald Sun Tour, 2007 Tour Down Under stage winner.

Bradley WHITE (USA, 32): Valued by team for versatility, selflessness and as an ultimate team player, 3rd 2012 USA Pro Criterium Championship, 2013 victories at Prairie State Cycling Series’ Beverly, St. Charles and Glencoe Criteriums in the US.