White, like Gerrans, is also confident the 31-year-old can achieve arguably the highlight of his outstanding career by winning an Ardennes classic.

The hilly course for the world road championships means that is another big race on Gerrans' radar.

Gerrans won his second Tour Down Under title on Sunday, following his 2006 success, finishing stage six safely in the main group.

German sprint ace Andre Greipel scored his 11th stage win on Sunday, putting him one behind Robbie McEwen for the tour record.

``The next big goal for Gerro is the Ardennes and if he can nail one of those three and then something again in summer, then he'll be in the top 10,'' White said.

``He's more than ready and I think we have a solid team around him.''

Gerrans was third at the Amstel Gold race last year, one of the three Ardennes classics that are among road cycling's ``monuments''.

He will also aim for Liege-Bastogne-Liege, but White thinks Fleche Wallonne does not suit him quite as much.

While Gerrans wants to ride at the Olympics, his better chance of a big win later in the year might be the world road race championship in The Netherlands.

``I think we'll be playing the Cadel (Evans), Gerro cards in that world championship, it suits them,'' White, who is also a national selector.

Gerrans has enjoyed a dream start to the year, nailing the tour a fortnight after winning his first national senior road title.

His twin successes also meant a perfect World Tour debut for GreenEDGE, Australia's first top-level professional cycling team.

``The first victory for a new team is often the hardest one to get . . . so to get that straight up is a huge bonus,'' Gerrans said.

``We've just made our presence known right from the beginning, and that we're here and we're ready.''

The tour win was also the perfect reply to Sky-Procycling director Sean Yates, who said in the media yesterday that he felt some GreenEDGE riders were not quite ready for the Tour.

Gerrans finished tied with Alejandro Valverde, the second time in race history that a countback has decided the overall win.

Tour Down Under champion Simon Gerrans, of the GreenEDGE team, celebrates on the podium after yesterday's win.