Orica-BikeExchange are sending Esteban Chaves to the Tour Down Under to try and win the race, although co-leader Simon Gerrans is defending champion and may be going better in January than the Colombian.

"Try and win the win the bike race," White said to Cyclingnews of the team ambitions for the first WorldTour race of the season. "Gerro will be going in trying to defend his title but it just gives us another card to play. Particularly with the addition of Paracombe and to simplify the race, it will be won on two climbs. The Paracombe climb and the on Willunga. It gives us great options."

The Australian team have won their home race three times, with Gerrans nabbing all three wins, but they have never successfully defended their title so far, with Tom-Jelte Slagter and Rohan Dennis taking the editions in between Gerrans wins.

Chaves may be the most popular addition to Australian fans, but the addition of Peter Sagan to the roster may dwarf his presence somewhat. Does White believe the Slovak can win the race overall?

"I think with Sagan, looking at the way he has prepared for spring in the past, I very much doubt he will come into Australia at 100%. Obviously, the talent that he is, he will be capable of winning stages but I wouldn't expect him to come out in January at 100%, which is what you need to do to win that race," he said. "When you have the likes of [Sergio] Henao, Richie Porte, Simon Gerrans, or Esteban, they are world-class climbers and even though they are short climbs, the race is won in seconds."