Stuart O’Grady joins Luxembourg team
Stuart O’Grady is the most recent cyclist to confirm the transfer from Saxo Bank to the new Luxembourg pro cycling project, built around brothers Andy and Frank Schleck.
With 16 year in the peloton, the 37-year-old Australian will be one of the most experienced members of the new team. So far, Jakob Fuglsang, Jens Voigt and Dominic Klemme have also been confirmed to be following the brothers from
Saxo Bank.
"Stuart is a real legend and probably among the most phenomenal athletes of his generation," said team manager Brian Nygaard. "He has won everything worth winning on the track, as well as an impressive list of victories on the road, topped off by claiming
one of the most beautiful recent editions of Paris-Roubaix."
O’Grady has been with Saxo Bank since 2006. He is a former Australian national road champion with a career record, including three stages in the Tour de France, two victories in the Tour Down Under and one in the Tour of Britain. His top victories with Saxo
Bank were at the Paris-Roubaix in 2007 and the Herald Sun Tour in 2008.
"Personally, I want to have another big Classics season," said O’Grady. "I have been a bit unlucky with injuries and broken bones since winning Roubaix in 2007. So it would be nice to win some big races with the team and of course help the Schlecks win the
Tour de France! Most importantly of all, enjoy cycling, racing and giving it 100 per cent every time."
The Australian will be supporting the team in a leadership role in the Classics and smaller stage races, while he is committed to helping Andy Schleck to win the Tour de France. If he succeeds, it will be O’Grady’s second time on the winning team, having
been an instrumental supporter is Carlos Sastre’s victory in 2008.
"Experience is something you cannot buy and it is a nice value to pass on."
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