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GreenEDGE launch, including GreenEDGE - AIS women

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Team Launch

GreenEDGE launch and Meet the Native Animals

GreenEDGE Launch

GreenEDGE-AIS women’s professional team were officially launched today at the Tour Down Under in Adelaide. The team joined the launch of the men’s team in front of a packed room of international media.

Check out the launch video http://tinyurl.com/WCN-GE1

Some of the team spoke exclusively to WomensCycling.net after the event. Judith Arndt, the 2011 World time Trial champion joined the GreenEDGE-AIS team for the launch in Adelaide. One of the most experienced members of the team, Arndt is looking forward to this year. “It is a big year, the Olympics are important for almost everyone. I came to the team because I personally needed a change and I took the chance to be part of a new project. There is a lot of new fresh energy and that is exciting,” said Arndt.

With over 20 years of cycling experience, Arndt is much older that many members of the team, Arndt sees this as a real positive for her, “It does not feel like 20 years, time goes fast, it does not feel so long. I am very excited by what I am seeing. I follow the Bay Criteriums and National on the internet. I know they were the favourites but it is hard for them to be that. The whole bunch was against them. They have done very well,” add Arndt.

The team is designed around the early classics, long tours like the Giro and in particular the World Team Time Trials in Valkenberg, Netherlands in 2012. “We have a strong team, Specialised Lululemon are the favourites, they have all of the experience, if they don’t win I will be surprised. I think as long as Linda [Villumsen] is ok we have a strong chance. I hope she recovers, without Linda it will be very difficult she is very strong. My goal is for us to win, if we really prepare and focus on the Team Time Trial we have a chance,” reflected Arndt.

Arndt is hoping to ride both the track and road in London. Her focus will be on the time trial, particularly given her Gold in Copenhagen.

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Comments

Dave McPartland (Sport Director- GreenEDGE-AIS) is very excited about the year ahead. “It is disappointing not to have the full team here, but, it is important for Linda to recover [from serious stomach and intestinal problems - editor]. The rider health is the most important thing. While it is a shame she can’t be here we a fully supportive. It is more important for her rest to get 100% back to full health. If she rest well she will be back in the GreenEDGE-AIS line up much quicker,” said McPartland.

Looking into the rest of 2012, there are a number of focused events, “Team Time Trial was in the World a long time ago so to have it back in the year GreenEDGE-AIS launch is exciting. We have a strong team and luckily we have a full year to prepare technically. We have the best time- trialist in the world in the team and some of the strongest in the world to support a great outfit. By the time September comes around we hope that all of the team will fit like a glove. We have top heavy with tour riders and time trialists. This year with the Olympics, we have two big events just before with the Giro and Thuringen. We also want to feature in the early classics too,” added McPartland.

Loes Gunnewijk is very excited to be in Australia and with the GreenEDGE-AIS team. “Everyone is very enthusiastic about the team and it is very exciting to be part of it,” said Gunnewijk.

Reflecting on her departure from Nederland Bloeit, “I had a few hours of lost sleep over the decision, I was happy there. I was looking for something else in my career. Not a Dutch team and then GreenEDGE come up. I think the Australians have some great talent. We can learn from them but they can learn from us too, [in reference to the International riders joining the team]. We can teach them to ride in the wind and help them to develop on the international stage,” added Gunnewijk.

Claudia Hausler is the second German on the team and very excited to be in an Australian team and in Australia for the launch, “This is great, this is my first trip to Australia and it is amazing. I am so excited to be I the team. This year is a big year, I want to focus later for the Giro. We have a strong team so it should be a great year,” said Hausler.

Shara Gillow the newly crowned Australian Time Trial champion is very excited about the year ahead, “This is a great time. It was pretty cool taking out the title again. Hopefully I can get better and better this year. To have Judith in the team is amazing. I am already learning lots from her. With the team time trial at the end of the year is great for the women to have the first Australian professional women’s team represented,” said Gillow.

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Photos

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