Team Orica-AIS signs Annette Edmondson and Gracie Elvin
to complete the 2013 roster
The Australian outfit, Team Orica-AIS finalised its roster for the season ahead after the side included Annette Edmondson and Gracie Elvin as announced earlier.
The duo proved their worth at the recent London Olympics with their bronze winning performance in front of the fully packed arena.
The mounting talent in the team made it pretty difficult for the selectors to choose the best squad for the new season and many talented riders have been left out.
Some of the big names that failed to make it through the final Team Orica-AIS squad include Judith Arndt, Alex Rhodes, Claudia Häusler, Linda Villumsen and Rowena Fry.
The inclusion of recently crowned Swedish Champion Emma Johansson in the team will strengthen the side after she decided against moving to the Dutch side, Team Dolmans-Boels.
The sprint department will be taken care by Edmondson, who is part of the Australian track endurance team.
The young Australian marked her professional debut at the London World Cup in February after a successful National Senior Championships for the second time.
Her silver medal winning performance at the 2012 London Olympics is considered as the biggest achievement in the 20-year-old’s young career.
Team GreenEdge-AIS Sports Director David McPartland was delighted to have Edmondson and noted that there are no doubts about her abilities and her inclusion certainly strengthens the team.
"She's certainly an upcoming sprinter with a huge future ahead of her," said McPartland. "She's undeniably talented, and while her obvious strength is in the sprints, I suspect she may develop into more of an all-rounder”.
“A few years ago, I watched her race in the Czech Republic over an undulating to moderately hilly course, and I was surprised at how good she was. She'll be an exciting one to watch develop this year".
Just like Melissa Hoskins, Edmondson will also be seen in a dual role representing the team in track as well as road racing.
"We'll have both girls at the very beginning of the season before they turn their attention to track through Track Worlds," McPartland noted.
Orica-AIS 2013 roster: Tiffany Cromwell, Gracie Elvin, Nettie Edmondson, Shara Gillow, Sungeun Gu, Loes Gunnewijk, Melissa Hoskins, Emma Johansson, Jessie MacLean and Amanda Spratt.
Tags: