NRS Team Profile: Bennelong-SwissWellness
Arguably the most visible – and certainly the most successful – team in the NRS in recent years, we take a look at the roster of the Bennelong-SwissWellness team managed by Andrew Christie-Johnston and Steve Price.
With an enviable track record, this is a team that has dominated the NRS in recent years and turned many Australians into WorldTour riders. There is no formula for success, rather this is a project that achieves distinction after distinction with sheer hard work and a professional approach.
Andrew Christie-Johnston has become the go-to man when it comes to stories about turning local riders into international stars. And the most prominent of all is Richie Porte, the former triathlete who raced with what was known as ‘Praties’ way back when he only dreamed of competing in a WorldTour race.
The Tasmanian is now one of the best riders in the world and, early in 2018, a legitimate candidate for the title of “favourite for the Tour de France”.
There are many other riders who have progressed their careers after leaving the team now known as Bennelong-SwissWellness.
We continue our summary of teams that are going to contest the NRS in 2018. Steve Price responded to our questionnaire and offers a quick overview of a line-up of riders who are expected to dominate the series in Australia later this year.
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Can you please provide a list of riders on your team?
| Bennelong-SwissWellness | |||
| Name | State | Date of Birth | Category |
| Alastair Christie-Johnston | VIC | 29/3/98 | U23 |
| Alexander Porter | SA | 13/5/96 | U23 |
| Anthony Giacoppo | WA | 13/5/86 | Elite |
| Ayden Toovey | ACT | 8/11/95 | Elite |
| Brendon Davids | SA | 2/4/93 | Elite |
| Cameron Bayly | SA | 11/10/90 | Elite |
| Chris Harper | SA | 23/11/94 | Elite |
| Dylan Sunderland | NSW | 26/2/96 | U23 |
| Jason Lea | VIC | 25/6/96 | U23 |
| Joseph Cooper | QLD | 27/12/85 | Elite |
| Michael Freiberg | WA | 10/10/90 | Elite |
| Nathan Elliot | VIC | 15/12/90 | Elite |
| Sam Crome | VIC | 16/12/93 | Elite |
| Scott Bowden | TAS | 4/4/95 | Elite |
| Scott Sunderland | WA | 16/3/88 | Elite |
| Sean Lake | VIC | 6/12/91 | Elite |
| Steele Von Hoff | VIC | 13/12/87 | Elite |
| Tim Roe | SA | 28/10/89 | Elite |
| Tristan Ward | NSW | 18/8/95 | Elite |
Team photo time at the beginning of the 19th season for a team managed by Andrew Christie-Johnston.
- Can you please list the staff/management of your team?
- Andrew Christie-Johnston: Management /DS
- Steve Price: Management /DS
- Jason Rigg: DS
- Neil Walker: Mechanic DS
- Melinda Harper: Management
- Rick Harper: Management
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Can you please list your title sponsors and what their line of business is?
- Bennelong Funds Management (Bennelong) develops and distributes funds around the world through our Australian businesses and wholly-owned UK subsidiary, BennBridge. Our boutique asset managers invest in Australian, UK and global equities. Globally, we have more than AUD9 billion in funds under management.
- SwissWellness is a Natural Health & Beauty Spa and the SwissWellness skin and body care range.
The team contested virtually all of the so-called ‘Summer of Cycling’, including the Santos Tour Down Under, even if the riders swapped Bennelong-SwissWellness outfits for UniSA jerseys for that opening round of the 2018 WorldTour.
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Can you please list your co-sponsors?
- Cervélo
- Shimano
- Footwork
- Maap
- Kask
- Koo
- Schwalbe
- FTP Training
- Today’s Plan
- BBB Cycling
- IsoWhey Sports
- Elbows Akimbo
- Ionata Digital
- Morgan Blue
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Do you expect that your team will contest all events on the NRS calendar in 2018?
“Yes, we definitely plan to contest all NRS events.”
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Can you please list relevant social media links that are associated with your team?
Cervélo has been a bike supplier and sponsor for several years. See more of the team in action in our national championship galleries, presented by Cervélo.
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What is your team’s main motivation for being part of the NRS?
“Our main motivation is to provide a good calendar of racing for our athletes to help the to develop the skills necessary to compete at the highest level.”
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What could be done to improve the NRS?
“More video coverage, move racing to more spectator friendly locations, better communication between stakeholders.”
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How many years have you and your team been involved in:
a) Cycling? 18 years
b) The NRS? 18 years
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Miscellaneous
No comment offered.
(For some background, be sure to read some columns that have been published over the years by RIDE Media. Some examples listed below…)
- Preparing Ben O’Connor for stage races
- Ben O’Connor signs with Dimension Data…
- Richie Porte: a column about joining the WorldTour
