Clarke could be closing on cycling deal
Simon Clarke's last-minute scramble to secure a new pro cycling contract may be about to pay off.
The esteemed Australian is reportedly on the verge of signing a deal with four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome's team Israel-Premier Tech.
Cyclingnews has reported that the 35-year-old will soon sign a one-year deal that will keep him in the WorldTour peloton.
Clarke was among several riders stranded late last year, when Team Kubeka confirmed it had not been able to find enough sponsorship to stay on the WorldTour.
He was using this month's Australian race as an extended audition and was leading this weekend's two races at the Bay Classic Criterium Series.
Clarke made a solo attack at the start of the last lap on Sunday, with the peloton quickly moving into his charge.
He will also compete in the men's elite road race at the national road championships next Sunday and then travel to Adelaide for the cycling festival.
He told AAP at the end of last month, "In fact I've already had a lot of people come to me that don't include me racing my bike - so I have more opportunities to stop than I do to race my bike." "
"I'm not trying to hang on to my cycling career because it's my only option, I'm trying to continue because it's my passion and I don't think I'm finished with the sport yet.
"I feel like I have so much more to offer.
Compatriots Rob Power and Dylan Sunderland, 10 years his junior, fellow Quebeca teammates, are also looking for new contracts.
"I really feel for those young people," he said.
