In 1993, Bobby was set to turn pro with the new Rossin team that would compete in Europe, led by former 7-Eleven team director Mike Neel. Just as the season was to start the sponsor pulled the plug leaving Bobby without a team. Bobby nearly gave up on the sport, but with the encouragement of his friends and family he decided to continue racing as a “free agent.” He ran up traveling expenses on his credit card, and paid his own way into the major races in the United States.

Bobby was able to make some noise at such events as the First Union Grand Prix in Atlanta where he was visible in a number of breakaways. Bobby actually joined a Portuguese team that was coming to the U.S. to compete in the Corestates Series, including the USPRO Championships in Philadelphia. Many cycling fans will remember Lance Armstrong’s one million dollar victory at the USPRO Championships in 1993, but you may not recall that Bobby was one of the last riders to stay with Armstrong on the Manayunk wall before Lance attacked and broke away for the win.

By the end of the season Bobby was deep in debt, but he had raced well enough to get an offer from the Chevrolet team for the next season.