Bad luck for Aussie TT champion puts him out of Down Under Classic
Called into the team as a replacement for the injured Jack Bobridge, who crashed in Tuesday’s Australian time trial championships, Luke Durbridge himself had an unwelcome encounter with the tarmac today and was unable to start the Down Under Classic as a result.
The GreenEdge rider collided with team-mate Matt Goss and hit his head. “Luke Durbridge crashed this evening on his way to the start of the the Santos Tour Down Under Classic,” stated his team afterwards. “Although he suffered no major injuries (only a minor concussion), we have decided to pull him from our Classic line-up tonight as a precautionary measure.”
It is understood that Durbridge is feeling fine and is expected to be ready for the start of the Santos Tour Down Under on Tuesday.
Still just 20 years of age, he won the world under 23 time trial championships last autumn and secured a contract with the GreenEdge team. He beat team-mate Cameron Meyer and triple world champion Michael Rogers (Sky Procycling) to win the the Mars Cycling Australia title last Tuesday.
That ride helped him secure his selection in the Santos Tour Down Under, where he will join Cameron Meyer, as well as Matt Goss, Leigh Howard, Stuart O’Grady, Robbie McEwen and the new national road race champion, Simon Gerrans.
“He’s up for the task and extremely motivated to debut with us for the Tour Down Under,” said directeur sportif Matt White on Friday. “I’m really happy with our final line-up and the guys can’t wait to get out there and compete.”
His wait will now be two days longer, but he should be fine for Tuesday.