MENDRISIO, Switzerland, Sept 23, 2009 (AFP) – Former Olympic track cyclist Luke Roberts has been given the chance to resurrect his road career after signing for the German Pro Tour team Milram.

The Australian, who departed the CSC team after a three-year spell two years ago, has since been racing with the German Continental Team Kuota Indeland.

Roberts, who won Olympic track gold in Athens in 2004 as part of Australia’s team pursuit, signed a one-year deal Tuesday in Dortmund.

“I am very happy to have the chance to start next year in the Pro Tour with Team Milram,” said Roberts, who is expected to help Milram sprinter Gerald Ciolek in the all-important lead-outs prior to bunch sprint finishes.

“I especially want to use my experience in the spring classics. And I am sure that I can help the sprinters decide the race for themselves.”

The 32-year-old from Adelaide, who lives with his family near Cologne, Germany, won a stage of the Tour Down Under in 2001.

He aso has stage wins in the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt (2004), Drei-Lander Tour (2006) and the South African Giro del Capo (2008).

While at CSC he underlined his all round abilities with third place finishes in both the Bayern Rundfahrt (2006) and the Tour of Britain (2007).