A significant financial commitment spanning three years from one of the most prominent benefactors in Australian sport will enable the new GreenEDGE cycling team to compete in the Tour de France.
The team’s official unveiling on Monday in Adelaide marks a pivotal milestone in the history of Australian cycling, following prolonged speculation and rumors.
Financing the team will be the Ryan family, owners of the Jayco caravan empire, who will provide the necessary annual budget of 10-16 million euros ($A13.5-21.6 million).
GreenEDGE aspires to attract sufficient sponsorship from other sources to operate independently of the Ryans by 2013.
Already, Australian riders are inquiring with team general manager Shayne Bannan about the team, which is preparing over the next few months to establish its staff and resources in anticipation of the critical date of August 1.
On that date, GreenEDGE will be able to submit its official ProTeam licence application to cycling’s global governing body, the UCI, and will begin formal negotiations with potential riders.
“We will be striving diligently to secure the pro licence for the world tour for 2012 – that’s our goal, that’s our focus,” stated Bannan.
“The key factor here is that we have secured committed funding; there’s no pressing need to pursue a commercial sponsor.”
GreenEDGE represents the most well-resourced effort to form a top-tier men’s road team based in Australia.
Just last month, the Pegasus initiative struggled when it failed to obtain a pro-continental licence.
Funding has always posed a significant challenge for Australian proposals; however, with the Ryan seed funding, GreenEDGE is positioned to seek sponsorship and build the team.
Gerry Ryan has long championed Australian cycling through Jayco, and his son Andrew will serve as a director for GreenEDGE.
An immediate concern is selecting the 15 riders that will comprise the initial GreenEDGE squad.
US team Garmin-Cervelo is filled with Australian talent, and its manager, Jonathan Vaughters, has already indicated potential legal actions if Bannan operates outside the established rider transfer regulations.
Jack Bobridge and Cameron Meyer, two of Australia’s most promising young cyclists, are part of Garmin-Cervelo.
Up to 75 percent of the team is expected to be Australian, with local under-23 riders Luke Durbridge and Michael Hepburn potentially among the first signings.
During the media launch, Bannan emphasized that he has many friendships with Australian riders who have approached him, not the other way around.
He declined multiple times to name riders who might be prospects for recruitment.
“Naturally, it is in our best interests to pursue the top Australians whose contracts expire at the end of 2011,” Bannan remarked.
“We will initiate more formal negotiations and discussions with them at the right time.”
Australian stars Simon Gerrans and Baden Cooke will be free agents later this year; however, they affirmed on Monday their contentment with their current teams.
Nevertheless, they openly expressed enthusiasm for GreenEDGE.
“It’s exciting, truly exciting; it’s something that all Aussie professionals have been discussing for quite some time,” Gerrans commented.
“I would be very interested in learning more about it… what they can provide.
“Certainly, a significant decision may await me at some point.”
GreenEDGE also plans to establish a women’s professional team for the coming year and promote track cycling.
Bannan noted that a primary focus for GreenEDGE would be to assist the sport in combating doping.
by Buford Balony