The Day Australian Cycling Changed Forever

Gerry Ryan and Simon Gerrans at the 2013 Tour de France

I am standing with Gerry Ryan on the Champs Elysees at the final stage of the 2010 Tour de France. It is one of the most magnificent boulevards in the world and now the permanent home of the Tour’s grand finale. The riders are about to begin their dozen laps up and down the Champs, around the Arc de Triomphe and through the Louvre. In a few hours a stage will be built in the middle of this famous avenue and Alberto Contador will pull on the Maillot Jaune.

Gerry looks up at the long line of giant flags flying above the finishing straight. “I don’t see an Australian flag up there,” he says.

I explain that the flags represent the nations that have a team in the Tour de France. There has never been an Australian flag up there.

I could almost hear the gears turning in Gerry’s mind. That moment on the Champs Elysees was the beginning of something extraordinary for Australian cycling. Not long after, Gerry contacted Shayne Bannan, then head coach of Australia’s elite road squad in Italy, and the journey to the top tier of world cycling began.

Meeting Gerry for the First Time

I first met Gerry Ryan in 1994. He had been approached by a character from Colac named Gary Boylan, who had noticed Gerry’s growing interest in cycling after he supported Kathy Watt to Australia’s first ever Olympic road race gold medal in Barcelona. Together Gerry and Gary created the Jayco Professional Cycling Team, which was something special for its time. Jayco was the largest caravan manufacturer in Australia and the team carried serious firepower. Olympic gold medallists Dean Woods and Scott McGrory, world champion Steve McGlede and a strong group of Aussie pros made it an instant success.

The team was heading to the United States to race the popular circuit that included the US Pro Championships. Some of the big European teams were there and so was a brash young Texan who had just become the youngest ever world champion, Lance Armstrong.

Gary’s wife was expecting their first child, so he asked me to act as Sports Director and look after the boys. I went to Jayco headquarters to meet Gerry. I was immediately struck by his enthusiasm and vision. He and Gary twisted my arm and I took the team away. It was a brilliant trip and the boys rode exceptionally well.

That was the beginning of an amazing relationship. Gerry has supported many of the events I have promoted over the years, but more importantly we have become good mates. I have taken him to the Tour de France several times and the fact he is still involved in cycling after some of those Detours is a miracle.

Talking to Gerry About the Early Days

I asked Gerry about those early years.

JT: When you started the team you had supported Kathy Watt and then Gary Boylan approached you with the idea of forming a pro team.

GR: Gary approached me in late 1992 and I sponsored a team racing in a tour at Lakes Entrance. From that we formed the Jayco Professional Cycling Team in 1993. It was ground breaking for Australian cycling because it had been many years since there had been a proper professional team in this country. It was a lot of fun and the team had a wonderfully positive vibe. Then we got you involved Johnny, the next year.

JT: I found a great photo of Dean Woods winning the 1993 Melbourne to Warrnambool with Jayco all over him. We lost him a couple of years ago. What are your memories of Dean

GR: I remember interviewing Dean with Gary early in 1993. We took him to the Victoria Club in the Rialto building for lunch to convince him to ride with us. He already had an impressive career. Olympic gold medallist as a junior, a couple of Grand Tours in Europe. From the moment I met him I was impressed with his discipline and professionalism. It set him apart from most cyclists I had met up until then, including you John. I also remember during the Sun Tour in 1993 how committed he was. After each stage the boys would be chatting about the day while Dean was planning tactics for the next one. A true professional.

Building the Pathway

In 1995 Gerry supported national coach Heiko Salzwedal, who had a radical idea to base an Australian semi professional team in Europe racing second tier events. From that early Jayco team Gerry backed coach Dave Sanders and the Victorian Institute of Sport squad. He could see that developing young talent was the way forward.

It was ground breaking and the Jayco Giant team launched the careers of riders who would become future stars. Robbie McEwen, Stuart O Grady, Henk Vogels, Pat Jonker, Nick Gates, Jay Sweet, Dave McKenzie and a young German named Jens Voigt who turned out to be able to ride a bit.

Something about cycling grabbed Gerry. He supports many sports, loves his footy and the horses, but cycling lit a fire in him. It is not unusual for successful businessmen to support the sport they played as kids. That was not the case with Gerry. We can all be thankful he got hooked.

The Birth of GreenEDGE

When Gerry decided to create an Australian WorldTour team I was called into a meeting with him and Shayne Bannan.

Gerry said, “Johnny, this is a serious project. It is not just jobs for the boys. What do you think you can bring to this team”

I told him I could look after and entertain the major sponsors and dignitaries. Gerry said, “What experience do you have” I said, “I have looked after the major sponsors on the Jayco Herald Sun Tour for years. Driving them in the convoy, explaining the race, entertaining them at night.” Gerry replied, “That is bulldust. I am the major sponsor and you have never looked after me.”

Luckily Gerry’s daughter Sarah stepped in and said she knew the perfect role for me. Team Mascot.

And that is exactly what I became.

The Grand Tour Journey

Only a handful of teams ever stand on a Grand Tour podium. Even fewer win one. GreenEDGE managed three podiums and in 2018 finally reached the top step.

In the 2016 Giro d Italia Esteban Chaves came agonisingly close. He took the pink jersey and looked in control, but Vincenzo Nibali had other ideas. Gerry was there to see Chaves take the lead and then lose it on the final mountain stage.

Gerry said, “I am disappointed he did not keep the jersey but realistically a champion beat him.”

Chaves had come back from a near career ending crash in 2013. The team believed in him. Gerry believed in him.

Later that year Chaves finished third in the Vuelta and won Il Lombardia. A brilliant season.

Then came Mat Hayman’s miracle at Paris Roubaix. A broken arm, six weeks on a home trainer, a last minute selection and the ride of his life. He beat Tom Boonen in the velodrome for the greatest victory of his career.

Gerry said, “It is one of the most inspiring stories in any sport. The best example of grit and determination you will ever see.”

The Yates Brothers and the First Grand Tour Victory

Adam Yates gave the team its best ever Tour de France result with fourth overall in 2016 and the white jersey. He was unlucky when the one kilometre to go inflatable collapsed on him on the descent of the Col d Aspin. Gerry joked that ASO were getting even for the bus crash three years earlier.

But it was Simon Yates who delivered the team’s first Grand Tour victory at the 2018 Vuelta a Espana. He won on Les Praeres, took the red jersey and held it for the final eleven days. It was a brilliant, controlled, courageous ride.

After the heartbreak of the Giro earlier that year, it was redemption of the highest order.

The Women Who Lit Up the Team

The women’s team had its own iconic moments. None bigger than the incredible Annamiek van Vleuten. In 2018 she won the Giro Rosa, defended her world time trial title and dominated the UCI Women’s Tour. In 2019 she defended the Giro again and then won the World Road Championship with a one hundred kilometre solo breakaway. One of the greatest rides ever seen.

A Journey Still Being Written

From that moment on the Champs Elysees in 2010 to the first Australian WorldTour team, to Grand Tour victories and unforgettable stories, Gerry Ryan has changed the landscape of Australian cycling.

And somehow, through all of it, I have been lucky enough to be along for the ride.