Simon Gerrans was one of the first riders to don GreenEdge colours when the team formed in 2012. During a six-year stretch he became one of their most talismanic riders, picking up two Monuments, a spell in the yellow jersey at the Tour de France, and a string of other vital wins. But on December 31, Gerrans will put away his GreenEdge colours for the last time and awake a BMC Racing rider. End of one era, beginning of another.
At the BMC training camp in Calpe last week Gerrans became more acquainted with his new teammates and surroundings. Richie Porte, the team's Grand Tour leader, had personally requested Gerrans move on board but at one point this year it looked as though the Milan-San Remo and Liege-Bastogne-Liege winner was about to call time on his distinguished career in the pro ranks. Yet with the ink now dry on a new one-year deal, the veteran rider has found a new home and perhaps most importantly a new purpose as one of BMC's team captains.
As the 2017 season wore on it became increasingly clear that GreenEdge were not willing to extend the 37-year-old's contract. The writing was on the wall when he failed to make the cut for the Tour de France and the team instead chose a number of younger riders to build their challenge. Seven years ago, when the team formed, Gerrans would have been one of the first names on the Tour team sheet but the class of 2012 – Gerrans, Daryl Impey and Michael Albasini found themselves fighting for one spot when once there were three.
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By the time the latter throes of summer had come and gone Gerrans was still without a deal but keeping his options open as looked towards the next phase of his life. Everything was 'on the table' he says, as he admits that retirement also crossed his mind.
Porte, who was at this point recovering from his Tour crash, was on the lookout for a team captain. BMC had been stung by Samuel Sanchez's positive test on the eve of the Vuelta but a number of experienced riders had also left. Porte was desperate to have experience around him, and although pure climbers were also a must, he couldn't let the chance of signing Gerrans slip through his fingers.
"Richie approached me directly about coming on board and helping him," Gerrans says.
"When he saw I was interested he involved the team management and it went from there. It was the obvious choice after Orica Scott."
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