ORICA-GreenEDGE has named its nine man squad for the Giro d’Italia. The selected riders will target specific stages of the first Grand Tour of the season. The team has a two-pronged attack in mind during their three weeks in Italy – furthering the development of the team as a whole and working towards the Tour de France.

“At every race we try to cover our bases. Sometimes the team is chosen because of the team time trial or overall goals,” explained Sport Director Neil Stephens. “Sometimes we choose the opportunists who know how to go after a crafty stage win.”

The line-up for this Giro will bring a well-rounded mix of talent to Italy. There is an even spread of riders in the back pocket for each of the team’s goals: riders in development, riders for the sprints and riders who are capable of going the distance in a break.

“Above everything, we’ll work hard on the lead out train for the sprinters,” explained Sport Director Neil Stephens. “Also, of second importance is allowing the opportunist to go in breaks in the second half of the Giro. We hope the consequence of meeting these goals means marking off stage wins in the record books.”

Matt Goss is an obvious leader of the team. The fast man from Tasmania gave ORICA-GreenEDGE its first Grand Tour win last year in a spectacular sprint finish in Horsens, Denmark. The 2013 edition will mark his fourth Giro start. Delivering Goss to a stage victory will be a big focus for the team.

“Matt has had a solid start to the year,” said Stephens. “He pulled off a good stage win at Tirreno-Adriatico in rainy, complicated conditions. He’s had a great run in the finish at other races as well. At this year’s Giro, we will be looking to Gossy for another stage win. We have a little pocket of riders that we will bring to support him in the sprints.”

ORICA-GreenEDGE line-up for Giro d'Italia:

Brett Lancaster, Christian Meier, Jens Keukeleire, Jens Mouris, Leigh Howard, Luke Durbridge,
Matt Goss, Pieter Weening and Svein Tuft.