After TeamLottoNL-Jumbo, former Belkin, decided to not renew his contract, Jack Bobridge will move back to Australia to join team Budget Forklifts. The domestic team has signed almost the entire national team pursuit squad.
The Advertiser revealed that Bobridge will be confirmed as one of the five new signings for the team tomorrow. The 25-year old rider leaves the WorldTour where he spent five years, with Garmin, Orica-Greenedge and Belkin.
Bobridge said his preference was to ride for Budget Forklifts because the team was willing to back him 100 per cent on the track as well. He has committed to Australia’s track program for Rio where he is desperate to win a gold medal after finishing fourth in Beijing and second in London.
“To be able to fully concentrate and do the road and have a team that backs me to do the track as well from Australia is one of the best things,” Bobridge said.
“Before London lots of us were coming from different areas, everyone was doing different things and now we’ll be all together as a road team as well under the same colours.
“I’ve done five years in the WorldTour but the WorldTour is not for everybody.
“The first few years I enjoyed it thoroughly but the last few years I lost a little bit for this kind of racing in Europe.”
“It was a decision I wanted to make, I talked to (coach) Tim Decker about going back to Australia and joining a team so I could focus on Australian racing and the track 100 per cent.”
“And with my experience from the WorldTour I can give a massive amount to Budget Forklifts and the road racing they do in Australia, Asia and America.”
“It’s a win win for both parties.”
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