Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEdge) has said that he will follow team orders throughout 2016 after being asked about any potential rift between himself and Michael Matthews in the team.
Cracks in the relationship first surfaced at the Worlds in September when both riders appeared to work for themselves rather than one single leader. Matthews made the podium but in a post-race interview with Cyclingnews openly criticised Gerrans' race tactics. With the race coming so late in the season Orica and their two star riders were given little chance to ease any tension in subsequent races with the off-season providing the environment for the media and those outside of the team to speculate.
Both riders will start the season with very different race programmes. Gerrans starts the season in Australia and will target the Tour Down Under with teammate Caleb Ewan likely to feature, while Matthews starts his campaign in Europe. The pair are unlikely to race together until the Spring Classics, however that is similar set of schedule to ones both riders enjoyed this year – albeit after Gerrans missed several early races with an injury.
ADVERTISEMENT
When asked in a recent interview by the Herald Sun how he and Matthews would work together, Gerrans responded by putting the onus on the team's management.
"That's a question you should ask team management. Because, as an athlete in the team, I've been given certain objectives and told what I need to work towards and when I need to be in top shape and that's what I've got to focus on," Gerrans said.
"As far as what they do with the rest of the team and who they're telling to target what, that's a team management decision."
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest News http://ift.tt/1ToPz3r
No comments:
Post a Comment