Simon Gerrans to return to action at Strade Bianche
Australian makes return from off-season injury at the Italian one-day race on Saturday alongside Britain's Adam Yates
Simon Gerrans (Orica-Greenedge) will line-up in his first race since the 2014 Road World Championships on Saturday, at the Italian one-day race Strade Bianche.
Gerrans fell while mountain biking in the off-season and broke his left collarbone, leaving him unable to defend his road race title in the Australian National Championships as well as missing out on the Tour Down Under.
The 2014 Liège-Bastogne-Liège winner will now begin his season on the white roads of Tuscany before taking on his first stage race at the Volta a Catalunya later in the month, as he targets another successful campaign at the Ardennes Classics.
While the parcours at Strade Bianche suit the punchy style of Gerrans, Orica directeur sportif Neil Stephens remains wary of expecting too much from his leading rider too soon.
"Gerro is working harder than anybody to try and get back in shape again but its still early days for him,” Stephens told the team's website.
“He has taken the injury and turned it into a positive, working really hard in the gym to build his strength. He is in good shape, he is really keen to go but it’s a little too early to expect a result from him just yet.”
Britain's Adam Yates will also lineup in Italy this weekend making his third appearance of the season, ahead of riding at Tirreno-Adriatico shortly after.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The 22-year-old is now in his second season with the Australian team, having impressed in his debut year with an overall win at the Tour of Turkey and completing his first Grand Tour at the Vuelta a España.
Orica-Greenedge squad for 2015 Strade Bianche:
Esteban Chaves
Magnus Cort
Luke Durbridge
Simon Gerrans
Mathew Hayman
Michael Hepburn
Svein Tuft
Adam Yates
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
'It's actually happening' - Matthew Richardson set for GB debut after nationality swap
25-year-old will race under British flag for first time at UCI Track Champions League
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Why do cars keep getting bigger – and will it ever end?
Ever-widening cars are threatening to squeeze cyclists off the road. It has to end somewhere, doesn't it?
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Team BikeExchange-Jayco out of Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana after positive covid results
Australian team withdraw from race ahead of stage three
By Adam Becket Published
-
Team BikeExchange-Jayco release new kit, will ride Giant and Liv bikes
Australian WorldTour team goes blue for the men and aubergine for the women in Alé designed strips
By Adam Becket Published
-
Team BikeExchange Jayco focussing on widespread wins with confirmation of 2022 roster
The Australian team are optimistic they can achieve more success next season with their 28-man squad
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Adam Yates finishes Barcelona Marathon in under three hours
Yates posted an impressive time of 2:58:44 during this off-season activity
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
BikeExchange interested in Tom Dumoulin for 2023 'if he wants to carry on with GC ambitions'
Dumoulin will be free at the end of 2022, when his contract with Jumbo-Visma runs out
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Vuelta a España: Adam Yates says he’s struggled with jet lag after the Tokyo Olympics
The Brit tried to hit out on stage three after the disappointment of ‘silly crash’
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Mitchelton-Scott release full list of Zwift races with pros, including Simon Yates and Amanda Spratt
Mitchelton-Scott sets up a month of events on Zwift where anyone can ride in special events with some of the biggest names in the team
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Simon Gerrans: ‘Some people don’t believe they’re seeing me riding around Richmond Park’
It’s not every day you compete with a double Monument winner on a Strava segment, but Londoners might have spotted a familiar face on their regular routes in recent months.
By Alex Ballinger Published