Australian Nick Schultz will join ORICA-BikeExchange as a stagiaire from the 1st of August 2016.

The 21-year-old from Brisbane has produced strong results this season such as claiming the victory on stage seven of Le Tour de Bretagne Cycliste, a 2.2 category race.

After seeing his continued progression, sport director Matt White is looking forward to having the young Australian on board for a selection of races in the second half of the season.

"Nick Schultz has been making some good progression throughout the Australian racing season and this year with his SEG Racing Academy he's had a very solid season so far.

"He is developing well and we are excited to give him the opportunity to ride with a WorldTour team."

Schultz has been growing as a general classification rider and after some strong performances with the Australian national team he was scouted by the SEG racing Academy ahead of the 2016 season.

This year he has displayed his potential on many occasions, placing in the top ten of numerous tours, recently finishing in second place on the general classification in last months Oberostereich Rundfahrt. 

"He's a rider who has been ear-marked for the World Championships later in the year," continued White "So along with the Australian national team and SEG Racing Academy we have worked out a programme so that he can still have optimum preparation for the tail end of the season.

"Nick will join us for Vuelta a Burgos then another one-day race in September, followed by Japan Cup at the end of the year, so it's quite a mix of races for him to experience."

The opportunity to stagiaire with the Australian team is something that Schultz is very much looking forward to.

"I’m very excited to join Orica-BikeExchange as stagiaire," said Schultz. "Being from Australia, it’s really special to make my debut with this team and get the support and trust from the people behind one of the best teams in the world.

"I hope to learn a lot and continue to make progression, this is a next step in my development."