Michael Matthews leads Orica-GreenEDGE’s charge at Milan-San Remo, bidding to become the third Australian winner in five years.

Matt Goss in 2011 and Simon Gerrans, for GreenEDGE in 2012, have led the way for their countrymen and Bling takes to the startline after a successful Paris-Nice.

His only racing miles so far this season, Matthews came away from France with a stage win at Saint-Pourcain-sur-Soule – ahead of Kristoff among others – and the points classification.

His stage wins at the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana last year showed he is perfectly capable over the short climbs, though the weather affected his Milan-San Remo performance according to team manager Matt White.

It was a disappointing result in an otherwise solid season but he has been backed to lead the Australian team again this time out.

Great Britain’s Simon Yates features in his support squad, but the team head to Italy with the single aim of leading Matthews to victory and he is perfectly capable of finishing it off for them.