So GreenEDGE won the kitchen sink in Ballarat. Again. Clearly this is bloody good news for the caravan king, Mr Gerry Ryan. And, frankly, who can begrudge him? He’s put so much into our sport over so many year. He deserves every success that comes his way. But as we reflect on the events of the last week down Buninyong way, the question must be asked: is the total GreenEDGE domination really any good for Aussie cycling?
Hell yes it is.
Sure, it makes it a lot tougher for many talented riders to get a look in when you have more than 10 riders from the one ProTour team conspiring to make the sure the coveted green and gold jersey gets sported across the roads of Europe on their watch. But, please, put away the violins and doomsday talk. That’s elite sport. It isn’t a charity. Get over it.
Is it bad that FC Barcelona or Manchester United or even Celtic have dominated their respective football leagues for decades? Hardly. Their pursuit of excellence sets a higher bar; something for other teams to aspire to, and test themselves against. Pat Shaw and Bernie Sulzberger may not have medalled at the Nationals on Sunday. But they both rode superb races, sticking with the break for more than four hours in the elite men’s race. Ultimately, Durbo was in career-best form and he deservedly won the title. But it was hardly a failure for the others.
Yes, everyone will have their own opinion on this. But mine is simple. If other teams can’t keep up with GreenEDGE, too bad. Despite my previously-expressed regrets about their choice of naming sponsor, the Team itself is one of the best – and arguably, most important – thing that’s happened to Australian cycling since, well, forever. Good luck to them. And good luck to other teams trying to catch them…
- Can’t keep up with me? Work harder.
Carbon Addiction 