Tour de France Selection Earns Durbridge Shot at Dream

Western Australian Institute of Sport cyclist Luke Durbridge will live-out a childhood dream this Saturday when he takes to the start-line for his first Tour de France campaign.

The Bassendean born, time trial specialist was selected in the Australian GreenEDGE team’s nine man roster, and becomes only the third Western Australian to contest cycling’s grandest of Grand Tours, after Henk Vogels and fellow WAIS athlete Cameron Meyer.

GreenEDGE is targeting a stage win in the 2014 Tour de France, with the professional outfit likely to strongly defend the team time trial stage it won in last year’s tour.

Durbridge announced via twitter that he was set to make a dream come true by competing in the Tour de France, one which looked a chance of being delayed, after the reigning Oceania Road Champion suffered a broken collarbone in the recent Giro d’Italia.

“A huge honour to be selected for ORICA-GreenEDGE TDF team. This is a moment I have dreamed since I was 13. Remember drinking hot chocolate trying to stay awake to watch the finish of every stage of the TDF #dreams #bringiton” Durbridge tweeted through his @luke_durbridge1 account.

GreenEDGE Sport Director Matt White said that Durbridge had earned his spot in the Tour de France squad.

“Durbo’s original plan was always to do the Tour de France,” White said. “Some may have seen his broken collarbone as a big obstacle but he has worked very hard since his crash in the Giro to be ready. The way he worked during his recovery shows his dedication and professionalism.”

Durbridge’s selection adds to his recent nomination for the Australian cycling team for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Durbridge will contest the men’s road time trial, just days after the completion of the Grand Tour.

The 2014 Tour de France starts this Saturday July 5 in the English city of Leeds, with the arduous tour running through til July 27.