GreenEDGE Travel:
GreenEDGE Travel was launched in March, 2018 in conjunction with Mummu Cycling and was established to provide a platform for supporters to truly engage with the team, allowing insider access at WorldTour events and unprecedented insights from riders and staff, ensuring the optimum fan experience.
To add, GreenEDGE Travel experiences are led and designed by former members of the team, providing a natural and familiar feel to the trip, coupled with an extensive wealth of knowledge from their own racing days.
2018 proved a huge success with the likes of Stuart O’Grady and Matthew Goss acting as Tour leaders throughout the season. A standout being GreenEDGE Travel’s debut, Giro d’Italia tour which saw Simon Yates and the team soar to a whole new level of performance in their outstanding bid for Pink; resulting in a one-of-a-kind fan experience.
A first-time Tour Down Under:
The Tour Down Under was a first-time event for GreenEDGE Travel and went on to deliver above and beyond expectation.
As an Australian outfit, creating an experience in the Southern Hemisphere was inevitable and deemed the perfect opportunity to give Australian fans the unique chance to jump on board and join the team in its efforts to secure a double victory on home soil.
The trip would be hosted by former professional, Matt Goss; most famously known for his Giro d’Italia stage victories and Milan-San Remo title in 2011.
Trip Highlights:
Highlights throughout the action-packed three days included joining the team on Stage Four - and what a way to come on board, subsequently seeing the team soar to its first Stage success of the race.
The excitement of the day began with pre-stage antics as guests joined the team ahead of the stage start in the exclusive rider preparation zone. Here, the prime occasion to see riders and staff preparing for the stage ahead; potentially crucial, with the iconic Corkscrew climb on the horizon and the key focus for the team to ensure Impey the best shot at a result.
Despite a few pre-race jitters, riders were friendly, relaxed and collected ahead of their days work; happy to share insight into the race, and thoughts from within the peloton. To top rider comments, it proved a fantastic opportunity to chat to team staff, with a prominent point of interest for many, being the roles of the team mechanics and the perks and stresses of the 'team behind the team’ ahead of the race.
From there, our guests got to experience firsthand the thrills of riding in an official team car to the feed zone to service riders mid-stage.
They certainly timed it to perfection, with the team working tirelessly throughout the stage to allow Daryl Impey a clear run to take the stage. Daryl’s strength, unbeatable turn of speed and race smarts, proving simply too good come the finish, as he stormed to a dramatic stage four victory and neared closer to the general classification lead.
For our guests to directly witness the emotion and passion following a victory, is the epitome of ‘the dream’ team moments we hope to share through GreenEDGE Travel. Fair to say, they were ecstatic.
Another prominent highlight throughout the trip, was enjoying an exclusive meet and greet, followed by a Q and A session with team members; Lucas Hamilton, Michael Hepburn and Alex Edmonson, alongside Sport Director Matt White. Each rider shared personal career aspirations and goals for 2019 and some great insight into the race itself, allowing a deeper understanding into their own roles throughout the race and guests the chance to engage with them along the way.
Michael Hepburn:
“It was great to spend some time and engage with GreenEDGE Travel guests throughout the Tour Down Under, particularly away from the race in a more relaxed setting. GreenEDGE Travel is a unique platform for fans but also for the team to get to know our best supporters. It’s always pretty motivating meeting people who have been backing the team since day one - and we’re beginning to realise, there are quite a few out there!”
White then went on to elaborate on the race itself; talking tactics, plans, threats and predictions for the final weekend of Tour Down Under action and his hopes to direct the team to secure the overall victory.
The evening, hosted by Stuart O’Grady, didn’t end there with a delicious dinner, completed with discussions throughout the duration of the evening from Goss and fellow, former GreenEDGE team mate Baden Cooke.
To conclude the three-day experience, guests set out to Willunga to view the Grand Finale in style from a stunning course, roadside hospitality setting at Penny’s Hill winery, which saw the race fly by a total of five times throughout the day. It had cheering, atmosphere and race viewing from the big screens, topped with great food and wine.
A euphoric ending it was, with Impey’s courageous final fight up Willunga, sealing the overall victory and ensuring a dream scenario for Hayman to retire from the sport. All in all - a very momentous occasion and one we hope our guests will remember for a long time…
A word from tour host, Matt Goss:
“Spending time with the GreenEDGE travel guys was a great experience. I had a ball with them and enjoyed giving an insight to the racing as well as meeting some old friends that we were lucky enough to catch up with and hear some of their thoughts on the TDU! I can’t wait for the next trip with our guys at the Giro!”
Interested in joining us at the Santos Tour Down Under next season? Register your interest, here.