The best is back! I've always admired your stories and especially your Nerz story. In my personal opinion i've always thought that you were the best story-writer on this site... Thanks for the credit, but we all get inspired from one story to another, so no need of pointing that out
I'm sure Caleb will take lots of wins through the seasons, so good luck with him. Also really like the idea of of the skipping-headlines. That's something new for sure
Again, thanks for the support! I'll try to pick up the level of my Nerz story, we'll see if I manage to
@ Ian: Thanks a lot, glad you like it! I think he has a very nice schedule for a first season. A Grand Tour? Wait and see ...
@ andy: Well, that's what I call a compliment Reallly, thanks so much, that means a lot to me. And I know, we all adapt some things from others, but I admire your story just as much, and it had a huge influence on this one, so I thought I'd at least mention it
Following me through this year, you should definetely know the guys I'm riding along with. I'm truly honored and very happy to work with and learn from some of the best men in the business, and, if I may add that, some of my idols.
For 2014, Orica GreenEdge has once again assembled a team well worthy of a spot in the top division of international cycling. Based mainly on cyclists from Down Under, the squad is studded with riders from almost all continents, both adding quality and international flavour.
Leaders
Simon Gerrans
Simon Gerrans has had two amazing years: A stage win and two days in yellow in the Tour de France, triumphs in Down Under and Quebec, and above all the Milano - San Remo victory in 2012. No wonder he is the absolute leader in this squad. Gerrans has a packed spring, with the Tour Down Under, Milano - San Remo and the Ardennes classics. He returns later this year to repeat his success in Canada and targets the World Championships.
Matthew Goss
Sprinter Matthew Goss is the second Milano - San Remo winner in our squad. His focus for 2014 has shifted, though: Having won two stages of the Giro d'Italia already, he hopes to complete his portfolio, lining up for both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana - of course with a highlight on the former.
Michael Matthews
Goss's place in the flat classics is taken over by the second major sprinter of the squad, Michael Matthews. Starting his season Down Under, his first peak is for Milano - San Remo. Is the third win in four years possible? After the Giro d'Italia, the young Australian later targets the autumn classics, from Hamburg to the Lombardy.
Protected Riders
Pieter Weening
In the previous year, the Dutch could celebrate the overall victory in the Tour de Pologne. In a weak mountain squad, this puts him in a leading position as soon as the road turns uphill. His schedule is packed accordingly. An intense spring including the Tirreno, Catalunya and the Pais Vasco is followed by the Tour de France. In autumn, he takes a step back and supports the classics specialists.
Cameron Meyer
2011 Tour Down Under winner Cameron Meyer is the second decent climber of the team. His goals complement those of Weening: Paris - Nice in spring, then the Giro d'Italia. He finishes his season after the Tour de Pologne with the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.
Matthew Hayman
Matthew Hayman is probably the main new signing for 2014. Having ridden abroad his entire career, the 35 year old returns home to reprise the leading role on cobblestones one last time. Aside from the northern classics, Hayman will have a cushy job this year, riding mostly classics later on.
Full Squad
As usual, Orica GreenEdge has their strong points in the sprints and one day classics. An overall victory in a smaller stage race isn't impossible, though it would be a huge surprise. In the Grand Tours, the team will go stage hunting.
For my part, I hope that I can contribute to the team's success, of course especially in the sprint finales. I realise that my role will be different to the previous years, and my main ambition is to learn from guys like Matthew or Michael; however, I've tasted the sweet taste of victory, and I know what I'm capable of. I'm hoping to give you a closer insight in what's expecting me in the upcoming year soon.
With all those great sprinters, I don't see Caleb leading any big races, but given his age, that's not a bad thing.
He can learn a whole lot from this experienced team!
The team has some great sprinters that can mentor Caleb, though he'll probably have to wait a season for the bigger roles. But he should be capable to leadout some of the best guys even at this point
Indeed, for leadership roles, it's not the best team, but for his development, it's surely a nice thing to get to know the procedures in lead outs as well.
And maybe, he'll get a chance or two as well, but see for yourselves ...
Edited by cunego59 on 01-12-2013 13:11
Now that you know the team, I'd like to give you an overview of what is going to happen in the upcoming season for me personally. I've thought a lot and of course had long talks with the managers, and I'm quite happy with the outcome!
My Role
As you saw in the team presentation, Orica GreenEdge is a team packed with strong and experienced sprinters. I know that I will have to perform helping services most of the time at first, but it was never an option to go to any other team.
However, I've exploited my position as a highly persuaded rider during my contract negociations (sorry, Boss!) to gain free roles and even leaderships in a couple of minor races. For now, I am happy with this mixture, but in the future, I aim for a higher place in the hierarchy, that's for sure!
My Schedule
It's my first year in the pro peloton, so I'm not getting the full dose. For instance, the manager told me that I'm not ready for a Grand Tour yet. While I would have liked to ride one, I can accept that, looking at the schedule we've prepared for the first part of the season:
3.-8.2.
Tour of Qatar
2.HC
11.-16.2.
Tour of Oman
2.HC
21.2.-2.3.
Tour of Langkawi
2.HC
6.-12.3.
Tirreno - Adriatico
WT
I start my season in the Middle East and Malaysia, as a build-up for my first World Tour race ever, Tirreno - Adriatico. The races suit me perfectly as they're packed with sprint stages. However, I'm there as one of Matthew Goss's sprint helpers, so probably no chances to go for myself.
21.-28.4.
Presidential Tour of Turkey
2.HC
1.-5.5.
5 Jours de Dunkerque
2.HC
12.-19.5.
AMGEN Tour of California
2.HC
22.-26.5.
Bayern-Rundfahrt
2.HC
After a little break, the next part is very international as well. And while there are maybe less sprint stages, the races are just as prestigeous. But more importantly, if I perform well earlier, I will get to lead in some of the races! This is the first chance to really prove myself.
For the second half of the season, my schedule isn't final yet. I might return to Asia or the United States again, but it's still pending.
My Goals
I honestly have to say that I'm not quite sure what to expect from this first part of the season. I think a good part of it will be spent getting used to the peloton. It's clear that I'm not going to be the high-flyer I have been so far, but I'm going to ride with some of the fastest men around and I've assembled a few goals I want to achieve in the upcoming months:
Level 1
Finish all races I enter
Level 2
Assist in at least five stage wins
Level 3
Score a stage win myself
.
Bonus
Assist in a stage win on World Tour level
When May is over, I'll get back to these goals in a half-season analysis and we'll see how I've done.
the 2014 cycling year has officially started, so it's time for my first blog entry. The season began with the National Championships in Australia and New Zeeland.
It was a first letdown for me to find out I'm not nominated for the Nationals, but then again, the terrain didn't suit me at all and I'm in the middle of the preperations for my own season start, so it's not the end of the world.
The races, despite my absence, were a success for the team. Michael Matthews won the road race after a day in the breakaway, and Luke Durbridge missed the title in the time trial by only three seconds. Gerrans in the road race and Howson and Lancaster in the ITT scored additional Top 10 places.
Australian Championships (ITT)
1
Rohan Dennis
Garmin Sharp
2
Luke Durbridge
Orica GreenEdge
3
Richie Porte
Team Sky
Australian Championships
1
Michael Matthews
Orica GreenEdge
2
Graeme Brown
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
3
Benjamin Johnson
Drapac Pro Cycling
Sam Bewley was our only men in New Zeeland, and he did equally well: Winning the road race and finishing second in the time trial, he exceeded all expectations.
Now, before this blog is filled by reports of my races, I'd like to use this opportunity to tell you what else you're going to find here:
While this blog is mostly about me, my everyday life and my races, I am also going to inform you about what's going on around me. I'm planning on giving you monthly resumees with the most important results and interesting cycling news.
Furthermore, there's the fantastic website "Pro Cycling Daily". Most of you will already know it. They're, among other things, famous for their cyclist rating system, that awards every professional cyclist points on a scale from 50 to 85 in several categories. You've seen me applying the system in the team presentation and I will continue to use it, informing you about my current status as well as the one of my team and my competitors.
Finally, you'll find my palmarès on the main page. It's still empty, but I aim to fill it as quickly as possible. It'll display not only my wins but every single result I'm getting.
That's it for now. You can expect the January review soon, and then the blog will return when I start racing!
Hope that blank spot gets filled soon (palmares)
A nice lay-out, graphics. All very neat, also written down smoothly.
All we need now is Caleb bringing home results
Also: congrats to Matthews, he'll love that jersey! And an important one that is to the team!
If only I'd joined earlier, it could be my trademark, well mine can be pandas or something...
Good luck with your story, it looks amazing already. I'm sure you'll be very successful.
I really, really like the look of this. It's written in a great way so far, good images (real as well as PCM) and impressively concepted. Good luck. I'm sure to join in into the big reader circle.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Reallly, thanks so much, that means a lot to me. And I know, we all adapt some things from others, but I admire your story just as much, and it had a huge influence on this one, so I thought I'd at least mention it 
Simon Gerrans
Pieter Weening
Tour of Qatar
Tour of Oman
Tour of Langkawi
Tirreno - Adriatico
Presidential Tour of Turkey
5 Jours de Dunkerque
AMGEN Tour of California
Bayern-Rundfahrt
Time to start a war
