Orica-GreenEdge must wait to sign Michael Rogers
Michael Rogers will not move to Orica-GreenEdge in 2013 but the Australian-based team has expressed interest in securing his signature at a later date.
Rogers was an integral part of Bradley Wiggins's Tour de France victory in July and his current contract with Sky expires at the end of this season. There was speculation the 32-year-old, who came through the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) system, would sign for his 'home' outfit.
"We've got the utmost respect for Michael and the job that he did with Sky in the Tour de France this year was something special," Orica-GreenEdge general manager Shayne Bannan said.
"At the right time and under the right circumstances we'd certainly love to talk to Michael in the future, and hopefully get him across before he retires, but it won't be for next year."
Rogers, who is currently competing at the Tour of Denmark, has enjoyed one of his most successful seasons in recent years at Sky. During the Tour he said it was too early to comment on contracts and that he'd "think about it more after the Olympics". A Sky spokesperson today would not comment on the process.
The freshman Orica-GreenEdge WorldTour team at present has a full stable. Kiwi Sam Bewley joined the fold in May after former three-time maillot vert champion Robbie McEwen retired. The 2010 under-23 road world champion Michael Matthews (Rabobank) has signed a two-year contract with Matt Wilson announcing his retirement last month and now working as a sports director at the Vuelta a Espana.
Bannan said discussions with the 37-year-old Julian Dean, who joined the squad this season on a one-year deal, are underway but confirmed the 2013 team roster is virtually complete. Dean crashed into a parked car and broke his leg at the Volta a Catalunya in March. He was sidelined for more than three months.
"There won't be anymore signing by us," Bannan said.
"We'll just see how Julian gets through the Vuelta and how he feels about it all. It'd be great to see him have a good Vuelta. I think Julian is pretty open-minded about whether he continues or doesn't continue next year so we still have to have that discussion and we'll probably do that straight after the Vuelta."
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Sophie Smith is an Australian journalist, broadcaster and author of Pain & Privilege: Inside Le Tour. She follows the WorldTour circuit, working for British, Australian and US press, and has covered 10 Tours de France.