Jack Bobridge to race in Tour Down Under with new team Trek

HOMETOWN hero Jack Bobridge will mark his return to cycling’s WorldTour with Trek Factory Racing in the Tour Down Under in Adelaide.

23/1/15 - Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 4 - Glenelg to Mt Barker - Jack Bobridge leads the breakaway groupat Sellicks Hill Picture Simon Cross

HOMETOWN hero Jack Bobridge will mark his return to cycling’s WorldTour with Trek Factory Racing in the Tour Down Under in Adelaide.

The 26-year-old’s priority next year is chasing Olympic gold with Australia’s team pursuit on the track in Rio but he has also signed a contract, which begins next month, to race with Trek on the road.

Bobridge, who won a stage and led the TDU while racing for wildcard team UniSA-Australia this year, is expected to return to the race alongside Giro d’Italia champion and fellow Trek recruit Ryder Hesjedal.

This year was the first he’d spent outside of the sport’s top tier since 2010 following stints with Garmin, Orica-GreenEDGE and Blanco.

Bobridge spent this year racing with Budget-Forklifts in the National Road Series and in invitational events in the US.

He is expected to be joined on the start line by fellow Australians Simon Gerrans, Caleb Ewan, Rohan Dennis and possibly Richie Porte if BMC sends its new one-two pairing to attack the race.

BMC is expected to confirm its TDU roster when riders gather for their team camp on December 17.

Following news that two of cycling’s biggest names — Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish — would both open their 2016 seasons in Victoria next year, TDU organisers today made their first rider announcements.

They included the Astana team which will be led by 2005 TDU champion Luis Leon Sanchez and also feature Dutch pair Lars Boom and Lieuwe Westra.

“It is always a pleasure to return to Adelaide,” Sanchez said.

“I have raced here many times and have seen the Tour Down Under grow from year to year. I like the location and I like the people on the streets: friendly and smiling.”

Ag2R-La Mondiale has also revealed its line-up for the January 16-24 TDU will feature Italian Domenico Pozzovivo, who finished fifth overall in this year’s edition of the race in Adelaide, as well as Kiwi recruit Jesse Sergent and Tour de France stage winner Christophe Riblon.

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Originally published as Jack Bobridge to race in Tour Down Under with new team Trek