In a career that began eight years ago with Drapac Professional Cycling, Darren Lapthorne announces his retirement today from the professional peloton. “Lappers”, the soft-spoken gentleman of the peloton, has had a great impact on Drapac during his years with the program.

“Darren has always been a consummate professional throughout his career with Drapac Professional Cycling and will leave a long standing and admired legacy. Darren was a key member of the program and the team grateful for his efforts on the bike and also his role in working with the younger riders by setting a fantastic example as a true professional athlete,” Jonathan Breekveldt, General Manager said.

Lapthorne began his professional career in 2007 when Drapac/Porsche first registered as a pro continental team and went on to win the national road cycling title that year

“I always loved riding since a young age but never thought I was going to make it my career until later when I first joined Drapac in 2006. I was 22 at the time when I thought there was a possibility of taking cycling to the next level,” Lapthorne said.

Lapthorne reflected on some of the places around the globe cycling has taken him and he leaves the sport with fond memories and experiences for his next phase in life.

“I would say one of the best memories I have was when I had my first taste of racing in Europe when I was 23 in 2007, current Australian road champion with Drapac. We were a close bunch of mates traveling and taking in the experience of racing some tough tours like Tour of Austria and Brescia along with racing some pro kermesses in Belgium along the way.”

Teammate Lachlan Norris rode many tours with Lapthorne and trained for years together.

“You can never underestimate Lappers. He always looks calm on the outside but when it comes to racing, he has a good bit of mungrel in him. Here’s to many years of laughs, miles and brutal racing with Darren. He brought alot to this team, not just in his abilities on the race course but his stature within the team when we weren’t racing. I wish him all the best in his career after cycling,” Norris said.

“My former team mate Robert McLachlan had a major influence on me when I was younger and played a major part in my early success. He was just so hungry to win that it rubbed off on his teammates and we all raced better when he was around. My coach Stuart Morgan guided me and got the best out of me, more than I knew I had sometimes,” Lapthorne said.

In a career that began with Drapac, this ever powerful rider has come full circle in exiting the sport with the Drapac program.

“Michael Drapac, team owner has always been committed and provided me with the opportunity to race at the highest level. Drapac Professional Cycling has been a major part of my life and I will always be thankful for his belief in me. These years of riding in red for Drapac will always be memorable ones.”

The future is a ‘wide open road’ for this cycling star and family man from Bendigo. With two kids and wife Jessica, Lapthorne looks to the future with excitement.

“No matter what I do in the future I’ll always give my all and do the best job I’m capable of just like I did in cycling. I can look back and say I rode with integrity and respect, and will always strive to do the same in the future in any role I do. I would love to stay involved with the sport so we will see in the year ahead,” Lapthorne said.

“Thank you to my teammates over the years, my sporting directors and my wife and family. Cycling is full of passion, emotion, it can be brutal but beautiful which I love and what life is about.”