After 2.5 years in prison, former Trek pro cyclist wants to help others: "I didn’t do it, and look where I ended up"

Former professional cyclist Jack Bobridge has spoken publicly for the first time about the dark hole he fell into after his career ended. In an episode of A Current Affair, the Australian opened up about the black hole he fell into after his career. Bobridge retired from professional racing at the end of 2016, and just a year later, he was arrested for dealing drugs, for which he ended up in prison.

During his career, Bobridge won multiple Australian championships on both the road and track. Between 2010 and 2016, he spent several seasons in the WorldTour, riding for Garmin, Orica-GreenEdge, Trek-Segafredo, and two years with the Dutch team Belkin. Throughout those years, the Australian battled rheumatoid arthritis, which allowed him to take corticosteroids to manage the condition.

"It got to the point where my whole body… even getting out of bed was a struggle," he now reflects. "I couldn’t put my socks on because my feet hurt so much, let alone get up and train." Bobridge turned to alcohol and drugs during his career to escape his problems, and when he retired in late 2016, things spiraled further out of control.

"There was no more competition, so there was no barrier anymore. It was like the door opened wide, so to speak. I didn’t matter. I could do what I wanted, whenever I wanted," he recalls. In 2017, he was arrested after being caught in an undercover operation selling MDMA, leading to his conviction and imprisonment in 2019. "I was using a lot of drugs. And obviously, I was getting drugs for my friends, which some people might say is dealing, but there was never any profit in it."

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Bobridge wants to help other former pros with his story

Now, for the first time since his release in early 2022, Bobridge is speaking out. He still carries deep regret. "I can take that on myself, but it's hard to carry the weight of everyone you let down. My daughter too—she was so young. She didn’t understand what was happening," says Bobridge, who wishes he had received more support from the world that had given him so much in the years before.

"I take full responsibility for the things I’ve done, the drinking, and the recreational drug use, but I wish there was more support for athletes," the Australian admits. "You feel like you give 100% to your sport and your country, and then when you’re done, you’re just dropped. That’s it. You’re finished. There were no phone calls, no emails. Nothing after I retired. You just disappear."

Bobridge now works as a bricklayer and hopes his story can give others the support he never had. "I just hope my story can help at least one person avoid making the same mistakes I did. It’s not weak to raise your hand and ask for help. I didn’t do it, and look where I ended up."

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