Zak Dempster delighted with Team Net App and Team Endura merger
After having a terrific 2011 season, Zak Dempster was positive to take his career to the next level with Team HTC-High Road.
The cyclist joined the American team back in August 2011as a trainee and his six big wins in Team Rapha Condor - Sharp caught the eye of team selectors.
However, he had to face the disappointment after Team HTC-Highroad announced its demise by the end of 2011 season because of financial constraints.
Dempster had no other option but to sign up with the British-based continental side, Endura Racing in 2012.
It appears as if the Australian’s wait is finally over and the news of Germany’s Professional Continental side Team NetApp merging with Team Endura Racing for the 2013 season can fulfil Zak’s dreams finally in the season ahead.
"I didn't want to go through my whole career riding in conti teams so to get this represents a chance," he told Cyclingnews.
"One thing that I just tried to think about was that the guys that go pro late are the ones that stick out”.
“It's so easy after under 23s to just say ‘oh, I'll just go back to uni.' It's a valid decision at the same time, but I feel like I'm capable of it [the move to the pro continental ranks]”.
"There're guys like Gerro [Simon Gerrans] who don't turn pro out of under 23s who are really good role models”.
The 24-year-old marked his first professional appearance with Team Drapac Porsche on September 30, 2006 and joined Team SouthAustralia.com-AIS for the 2007 season.
He has been with a number of teams throughout his career including Team Toshiba Australia (From 1 Apr 2007), Team SouthAustralia.com-AIS (2008) and Team Cycling Club Bourgas (2009-31 Aug).
Dempster also represented Team Drapac Porsche Cycling (From September 1, 2009), Team Rapha Condor-Sharp (2010-2011) before joining Team HTC-High Road as a Trainee in August 1, 2011.
The cyclist helped Team Rapha Condor-Sharp with as many as six victories in the first half of the 2011 season and was immediately picked up by Team HTC-Highroad as a trainee.
It will be interesting to see how Zak helps Team NetApp-Endura in its debut season next year as the team has high expectations from the Australian to find the right form, the sooner the better.
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