MELBOURNE, Australia, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Following one of the most successful debuts in the WorldTour of cycling, GreenEDGE today announced a three-year co-naming sponsorship with leading global mining services company Orica Limited.

As of this year's Giro d'Italia, the team will change its name to Orica-GreenEDGE.

"This is a rare and fantastic opportunity to secure the founding co-naming sponsorship with this ground-breaking sporting venture. GreenEDGE is the first Australian team at this level and it offers Orica a powerful sports marketing platform, perfectly aligned with our values and drivers," says Ian Smith, Managing Director and CEO of Orica.

"Cycling is dynamic, competitive and truly appeals to a global audience. We have a lot in common with the team; we're both multi-national organisations with an Australian DNA, and we share mutual aspirations driven by a focus on innovation and team work. This sponsorship forms one of the strategic platforms for Orica to increase its brand presence in key global markets and we're convinced that the world-class performances of this team will help provide ongoing global exposure," Smith continues.

Team founder and owner, Gerry Ryan said, "We're extremely proud to be teaming up with Orica in our debut season and onwards. It's the perfect partner for us and we couldn't have found a more ambitious and forward thinking company to get onboard.

"We have had a dream start to our sporting goals, winning big races and putting GreenEDGE on the map in professional cycling. This relationship with Orica, and our existing partners, will continue to make GreenEDGE grow - for the athletes, for our fantastic fans and for cycling in general. It's a significant milestone for us," Ryan says.

The Orica logo will feature prominently on the team kit at its Grand Tour debut and at this year's Amgen Tour of California. A whole new visual identity for Orica-GreenEDGE will be launched before the world's biggest race: the Tour de France at the end of June.

Orica will also become the co-naming sponsor of the women's team run by GreenEDGE.

GreenEDGE and Orica have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a three-year sponsorship agreement.

To view or download the Orica-GreenEDGE jersey design and logos go to www.greenedgecycling.com and click on the press section. To gain access please enter username: green and password: EDGE

For more information, contact:
For Australian media:
Mary Jong
Marketing Coordinator
GreenEDGE Cycling
+61 3 8792 2091
mary.jong@greenedgecycling.com

Nicole Ekert
Communications Manager
Orica Limited
+61 407 166 783
nicole.ekert@orica.com

For International media:
Brian Nygaard
Communications Director
GreenEDGE Cycling
+39 32 8719 2298
brian.nygaard@greenedgecycling.com

About Orica:

Orica is the global leader in explosives, mining chemicals and mining services and Australia's largest chemical company. The company has operated for nearly 140 years and employs more than 15,000 people in 50 countries.

Orica's core strategy is to be the global leader in the provision of high service, critical consumables to the mining, construction and infrastructure markets. Through the development of market-leading technologies, Orica has improved the efficiency, productivity and safety of our customers' operations.

About GreenEDGE:

GreenEDGE is the newest team on the pro cycling WorldTour and the first ever Australian team to make the most prestigious ranks of cycling. Created by long-time backer of Australian cycling, Gerry Ryan and run by Shayne Bannan who was the High Performance Director at the Australian Institute of Sport for more than two decades. GreenEDGE got has gotten off to an impressive start in its debut season, winning 11 races so far - including a monumental win by Australian Road Champion Simon Gerrans in the classic race, Milano-San Remo.

The team boasts some of most exciting talents in the sport and has a wealth of experienced riders like Stuart O'Grady and Robbie McEwen to guide them. GreenEDGE also runs the professional women's team, GreenEDGE-AIS, with an equally successful debut season, boasting more than 14 wins, including the classic, Tour of Flanders.

SOURCE GreenEDGE