Thu 24 May 2012 | 
Bobridge ready to go pro
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Enlarge textOne of the most outstanding performances at the Tour Down Under was South Australia's own Jack Bobridge.
Jack Bobridge is ready to hit the road (Getty)
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One of the most outstanding performances at the Tour Down Under was South Australia's own Jack Bobridge.
Based
on his performance there, It goes without saying the teenage prodigy
has a bright future on the professional ranks. He's already being
compared to Brad McGee and Stuart O'Grady at the same age, and has the
makings of becoming one of the greatest cyclists ever developed in
Australia.
So why would he choose to stay on in the amateur
ranks and continue a career in the AIS track programme until the 2010
Commonwealth Games, as has been suggested?
Bobridge unleashed
his talents on more than one occasion over the six stages at the TDU in
a performance that captured the imagination of the many influential
team managers.
The "vultures" have cheque books in hand and are already circling for his sought-after signature.
I can tell you that more than one has his eye on Bobridge with the view of racing in the big-time sooner rather than later.
There's a theory that Bobridge is still too young to hit the pro-circuit, but I'm not so sure.
Look
at the progression of Mark Cavendish since he won gold on the velodrome
for the scratch race at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
A year later he experienced his first taste at the top by making his debut appearance at the Tour de France.
In
2008 he won gold in the Madison at the UCI track World Championships
followed by two victories at the Giro and an incredible four stage wins
at the Tour.
Some locally-based coaches have told me Bobridge "is now ready to rule the roads of Europe".
There's
no doubt he has the ability, the determination, the talent and the
"engine", and there's no doubt he should be guided correctly in terms
of the career path he takes in the next 12 months.
There's a
push to keep Bobridge riding the boards at the AIS until 2012 as our
cycling gurus see him as our big hope in combating the British track
cycling juggernaut - winning Olympic gold in London and therefore erase
the memories of Beijing - where Bobridge's ride in the team pursuit even
upstaged that of the recently retired Brad McGee.
Bobridge is just 19, but has the maturity of a person beyond his years.
The
experience he gained by rubbing shoulders with the likes of Armstrong,
Pereiro, Sanchez, Davis and O'Grady (to name just a few) in Adelaide in
January has whet his appetite for a shot at taking the pro-path earlier
than he may have expected.
The question now being asked is "
should he focus on Commonwealth medals or be given a chance to chase a
leader's jersey in a stage race on the pro-circuit?"
Bobridge
can do both - just ask O'Grady and McGee, to deny this brilliant
athlete an opportunity to start a pro-career before 2010 would be an
injustice.
There's no reason to keep him in cotton wool any longer, I say let him go now!
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Comments (8)
--
Borbridge cetainly felt at home in TDU. I agree with Joanne. The AIS are on a winner so why would they release such a fine talent
28 Jan 2009 23:23 AEST
From: Maitland
--
After watching him ride the TdU and reading the article here I remembered the old saying: "If you are good enough you are old enough" and in his case he is good enough to hold his own in any pro team. Question Answered!
28 Jan 2009 11:42 AEST
From: Adelaide
--
I agree with Joanne. Why should the AIS be given the role of guiding Jack's career correctly? I'm sure when he finally joins a responsible pro team, they'll do the right thing by Jack - just like T-Mobile/High Road/ Columbia have done with Cavendish. Move on Jack you're too good to stay put here.
28 Jan 2009 11:31 AEST
From: Adelaide
--
I first saw Jack this time last year at a track night at the velodrome. Jack and Stuey OGrady were doing a promo ride with Brett Atkin in a gurney race. He attacked in those races aswell, ever since then ive kept my ear out on how his gone and to see him do so well at the Nat. Champs and then get a TdU spot was awesome. But how he rode for the entire week had me thinking that it wouldnt be to long before wed be seeing him in Europe racing with the pro's. Having said that Will Walker had a similar hype and was thrown in fairly early aswell and that might not have done him any favours. Though i think we will see him do well with his new Fuji squad (he was ominously quiet last week) I wonder if Jack wouldnt be better off staying in the SA.comAIS squad and Doing his track stuff for another year or so, the offers will still be there. Whatever he does im sure he will do extremely well and will be intresting to see what kind of rider he matures into.
28 Jan 2009 11:05 AEST
From: Wonthaggi
--
Ask Borbridge whether he wants to stay on the track and I'm sure he'll tell you a flat no. Don't stay in Oz for the sake of making the inept coaching staff at the AIS look good.
28 Jan 2009 9:29 AEST
From: Brisbane
--
I agree with Mike. Let Jumping Jack go. Winning a medal at the olympics is special, but only occurs every 4 years. Joining the pro circuit and riding the Tour de France and Giro happens every year and that is were he is going to make his fame and fortune. His got killer instinct and I can see him as a future winner on tours.
28 Jan 2009 9:18 AEST
From: Surry Hills
--
Completely agree. Had the pleasure of witnessing his strength, power and passion for the big race in Adelaide and when it was all said and done he took it in his stride. On two or three occassions I got a chance to congratulate him on his fabulous ride and he greeted it with a huge smile. He is ready and he has the head and heart for it. Come on Aussie! Unleash him on the peletons of Europe!!
27 Jan 2009 17:35 AEST
From: Kyogle
--
Absolutely. Everyone watching the Tour Down Under was blown away by his aggression. This man has the heart and talent to do great things in cycling. We have some many great sprinters, excellent time trialists, Cadel's efforts in the Tour de France were outstanding. Wouldn't it be great to add to all that and see Bobridge attacking the hills aggresively in the Tour de France. Bring it on.
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