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Bobridge signs for Rabobank

18th September, 2012
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Young Australian cycling star Jack Bobridge has jumped ship from Orica-GreenEdge mid-contract and signed up for Rabobank on a two-year deal.

Bobridge is one of Australia’s most exciting prospects on the road and there had been rumours swirling around that he was ready to quit the Australian team.

Those whispers were confirmed on Tuesday when the Dutch team announced the signing of the Olympic silver medallist in the team pursuit in London.

Bobridge, 23, is the first big name to leave fledgling team Orica-GreenEdge.

“I want to develop myself further on the road,” he said.

“Rabobank cycling team is experienced in training young talents and turning them into good road racers.

“I’m a real team player, I really want to help my teammates. That’s where my strength lies.”

Orica-GreenEdge released Bobridge from the final year of his contract with his decision to head elsewhere tough for the new team to stomach.

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“I think we have developed our talent pretty good, it is an interesting decision,” said the team’s sporting director Matt White.

Bobridge has had a quiet year on the road with his focus being leading the Australian pursuit team to the London Olympics on the track.

He was the under-23 world time trial champion in Switzerland in 2009 and finished fifth in the men’s event in Copenhagen last year.

He broke Chris Boardman’s long-standing world record in the individual pursuit and there has been high hopes for him on the road without the distraction of the track.

He will join experienced compatriots Graeme Brown, Mark Renshaw and David Tanner in the Dutch outfit.

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