Rumoured for several weeks to be joining the new GreenEdge team, Julian Dean has officially confirmed his transfer across from Garmin-Cervélo. The Kiwi has completed a one year deal and may continue past 2012, or could switch to an off-bike role with the squad.
“There have been big developments in cycling in the past few years and one of the big things has been the globalisation of the sport,” he told RadioSport, according to RoadCycling.co.nz. “In 2012 we are seeing a new team come out of Australia, GreenEdge professional cycling team, and this is who I have chosen to continue my career with.”
Now 36 years of age, Dean has been a pro rider for thirteen seasons. He started with a three year stint with the US Postal squad, then spent two years with CSC-Tiscali, three with Crédit Agricole and the past four with Garmin-Cervélo.
Since moving to the American squad, he’s primarily worked as a leadout rider, helping Tyler Farrar to some of his biggest successes. He is likely to play a similar role in GreenEdge, becoming part of Matt Goss’ leadout train.
His palmares is a solid one, with team time trial successes in the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France joining two national road race titles, the overall classification in the 2003 Tour de Wallonie and the points classification in the 2004 Tour of Britain.
He’s also had several near misses, including second overall in the Tour of Britain, third in the Tour of Ireland, and podium finishes on a combined todal of five stages of the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France last year.
Dean declined to say if he was likely to retire in 2012. “For me now, it is about concentrating on myself next season,” he said. “My first objective is to try to ride well [in the] Tour de France and then Olympic Games.”
He added that he believes GreenEdge has a lot of strength in depth and that he wanted to play his part in helping it get up to speed as soon as possible.