For Orica-BikeExchange and its team manager Shayne Bannan, progression and development are two key ideals and driving principles. In 2016, the long game paid off with the investment in both its young and older riders resulting in two monument victories, and podiums at two of the three Grand Tours. The season was the best yet for the Australian team who entered the WorldTour in 2012.
"Certainly an exceptional year," Bannan told Cyclingnews at the Orica-BikeExchange winery ride event, held at team owner Gerry Ryan's Mitchelton Wines, of how he saw the season.
"The main focus and emphasis this year was progression, and I think we certainly achieved a little bit more than that," he added. "To see Mat Hayman win Paris-Roubaix was certainly something quite special knowing all the work over many years that he's done for that particular event. To see the progression of the younger riders such as Esteban, the Yates brothers, Magnus Cort, Jens Keukeleire, Caleb Ewan and continued efforts of the older riders. In particular, Simon Gerrans, and Michael Albasini. Too many highlights to mention anything but Paris-Roubaix [as the standout].
ADVERTISEMENT
"Mainly because of the person Mat Hayman," Bannan added of the Roubaix victory. "It's his lifelong dream and whenever he does finish his career, whether it's the end of next year or the year after, he can finish really proud."
While Hayman's win, on his 15th appearance at 'the hell of the north', was a standout moment in a season of highlights, the progression of the team's general classification trio of Esteban Chaves, and Adam and Simon Yates has also greatly pleased Bannan. Chaves finished second at the Giro d'Italia in May and third at the Vuelta a Espana in September, while Adam Yates finished fourth and won the best young rider classification at the Tour de France with his twin brother Simon finishing sixth at the Vuelta. Chaves also became the first Colombian to win Il Lombardia in the autumn.
"When we go back to the start of the team, 2011-2012, we were always asked ‘what are your GC ambitions?' and I think the answer was ‘select riders and progress their development. If it happened in three years, four fives years, we don't really know," he said of the shift of aims and emphasis within the team. "We are seeing fantastic progression from the three guys and to be on the podium twice in three grand tours this year, and Adam Yates fourth in the Tour de France, and Simon sixth in the Vuelta, the progression is there, the talent is there, we just have to continue putting in the work and giving them the opportunity."
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest News http://ift.tt/2eVUlvh
No comments:
Post a Comment