Mitchelton Scott sporting director Matt White said that after a sponsor buyout by Spanish project Manuela Fundacion fell through, team owner Jerry Ryan has committed to support the Australian men's and women's world tour steeds for at least the next two seasons. pledged to support the team, "the ship has been steadied," he said.

Last month it was reported that Manuela Fundación would take over as main sponsor from Ryan-owned winery Mitchelton, but less than a week later Ryan announced that the deal had been called off due to a disagreement over the terms of the agreement.

Appearing on the SBS Cycling Central Podcast on Wednesday, White admitted that "there was a lot of talk about the Manuela Foundation, and there were weeks where there were a lot of questions about that foundation. [I didn't know anything about the sponsor or about a man named Francisco Huertas. It was a foundation that didn't exist yet, but Jerry's promise of two more years was a big help in stabilizing the ship"

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"Everyone in the organization, young and old," White continued, "knows that if Jerry says something, it will happen. If everyone knew that, they would not have carried the negativity into the second half of the season and into the future." [I think both the men's and women's teams will have similar lineups for the next few years. There won't be any major changes in staff or riders, and I'm looking forward to getting back on the road and winning again."

Mitchelton Scott General Manager Shayne Bannan played a key role in negotiations with new title sponsor Manuela Fundacion. Banan will be replaced by Brent Copeland, who is moving from Bahrain McLaren.

"I know him [Copeland] - not that I'm close to him or anything - but in the small Anglo community [in pro cycling], he's known as a smart operator," White said. 'I think he's a great fit for our team. I've worked with him a lot over the last few weeks."

On Wednesday, the team announced its longlist for this year's Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, and White said in a press release that Mitchelton Scott will be aiming for a stage win rather than overall victory in the Tour, and Simon Yates will be aiming for GC in the Giro

"After last year's success, I want to go for stage wins in the Tour de France. Last year I rode in an aggressive style and I want to continue that this year," he said in a press release.

White said everyone is excited to be back racing, as competition will resume in earnest later this month.

"We know the virus is still here. We're hoping that we can keep the virus under control so that we can at least end this season (which is a strange season) in an intensive three-month block and be safe."

SBS also asked the former pro rider about the recent news that four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome will leave Team Ineos at the end of this season to join Israeli startup Nation.

"The only thing Team Ineos cares about is winning the Tour de France. It will also depend on how Chris Froome returns to racing."

"I wouldn't be surprised if they take him off, I think three leaders would complicate things. The last three Tour de France winners are on the same team: Froome is trying to get that elusive No. 5, while Geraint Thomas won two years ago and had a solid run last year in a Tour that was changed in the final week.

"Someone has to work, and with three leaders on a team like that, it will be hard to manage. Two leaders can do it," White said.