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Team News: Luke Durbridge extends with Orica GreenEdge

On top of his neo-pro two-year contract, the Australian National Time Trial Champion has added one additional year to his original deal.

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“I’ve really enjoyed the environment on the team and I appreciate the genuine interest in my development,” said Durbridge. “GreenEDGE offered the extension, and it made a lot of sense to sign. I get security and the ability to concentrate on more good years with the team.”

During his first year in the professional peloton, Durbridge won time trials at Circuit de le Sarthe, Critérium du Dauphiné and Tour du Poitou Charentes. His time trial wins at Circuit de le Sarthe and Tour du Poitou Charentes propelled him to overall victory in both French stage races.

Durbridge was part of the team time trial winning squad at the Eneco Tour and the bronze medal ride in the team time trial at the Road World Championships. Most recently, he combined forces with Svein Tuft to win the Duo Normand, his final race of the season.

“Winning the Dauphiné prologue was a personal highlight for me,” said Durbridge. “I was pretty happy with that win because of the caliber of riders that were there. Winning the national title at the beginning of the year was also very special. I took a lot of pride in wearing the green and the gold all year during my first professional season.”

Durbridge credits the team with much of his success. Originally focused on making the team pursuit squad for the London Olympics, Durbridge switched gears in late March after learning he would not make Olympic selection.

“The team gave me a good program,” Durbridge said. “When I came over from track to road, they were more than happy to have me. They gave me to a good combination of races without loading me down with too heavy of a schedule. That made it possible for me to have some personal opportunities.”

The young Australian anticipates a similar race program in 2013

“I expect more of the same,” Durbridge said. “I want to continue to wean myself into the bigger races and have a go at the smaller races. The small races are the perfect place for me to learn how to win, and eventually, I can build the confidence and skills to go for a win in harder races, too. I’ll continue to specialize in the one week stage races without too many hills that include a time trial and maybe a prologue.”

Sports Director Matt White is thrilled to have extended Durbridge’s contract.

“Luke has had an incredible first year as a pro with six individual victories and one team time trial win scattered through his season,” said White. “We are looking forward to continuing to help Luke develop through these early years as a pro and seeing him grow into a world class time trialist and future star of the sport. With ORICA-GreenEDGE, Luke has a home for many years to come.”

 

 

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