Major historical moment for Australian cycling
Responding to Monday’s confirmation that it had been awarded a UCI ProTeam licence for 2012 and 2013, thus earning it automatic qualification for all WorldTour races including the Tour de France, management, staff and riders on the GreenEdge team have all been celebrating the news.
General manager Shayne Bannan has welcomed the fact that the team has been given a major vote of confidence, and states the riders are working well towards what they all hope will be a very big first season.
“This is a team built for the future and we are obviously thrilled to have the license in place,” he said. “We have been confident all along during the process, but at the same time humble towards the criteria you need to meet in order to get the final approval.”
In a reflection of that tough criteria, the team was passed over twice for a ProTeam licence, but managed to fulfil all the criteria on the third and final opportunity. Team founder Gerry Ryan is clear that it is a historically significant decision.
“This is a key moment for Australian cycling and we are proud to enter the WorldTour with a new and extremely motivated project,” he stated. “I am convinced that we will bring great moments and a lot of passion to the sport with this team. I’d like to use this opportunity to congratulate the entire team and all of our partners with this important, historical step.”
With the paperwork now sorted out and access guaranteed to the top races, Bannan has turned his attention to what lies ahead. He will guide and assist the riders in the buildup to the season
“We are currently busy with our first team camp and everything is coming together for a great debut year in the WorldTour,” he said. “We’re young team with big ambitions about giving back to the sport and create excitement both in Australia and across the globe. Cycling has grown immensely over the last years and we are happy to be an integrated part of that positive development.”
The squad will make its WorldTour debut in the Santos Tour Down Under. It will begin on January 15th and runs for eight days.