Bobby Julich moves up at Saxo Bank

USA's Bobby Julich will continue with Team Saxo Bank as Rider Development Manager, the team announced today. The 36 year-old retired from cycling this September.

"I knew that my urge to compete at the ProTour level as a rider was over in the middle of the season, but I also realised that I have much more to offer this great team and the sport of cycling. I will be trying to accomplish this objective from the other side of the barriers, but with the same passion and dedication I had during my racing career," said Julich.

Julich will take on a managing role with technical development, testing and time trial coaching as his main work focus. He will join Bjarne Riis' team, known as Team Saxo Bank – IT Factory for 2009, in Denmark at the end of November.

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"I am looking forward to our trip to Denmark ... in order to meet with Bjarne and the rest of the staff to map out a game plan for the future. I am also looking forward to meeting the new riders and to help them adjust and develop under our system."

"He knows the team and the way we work better than most, but above all, he brings hands-on know-how, insight and great passion for the team and the sport in general," said Dane Riis.

Julich turned professional in 1992. His first major wins were with Team Cofidis from 1997 to 1999, winning the Tour de l'Ain and the Criterium International and finishing third in the 1998 Tour de France. After seasons at Crédit Agricole and Telekom, he joined CSC in 2004. He won a bronze medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics, and the Paris-Nice, Critérium International and Eneco Tour in 2005. His last professional race was the Tour de Suisse.