Christian Guiberteau hired by Skil-Shimano
Skil-Shimano has announced the hiring of Christian Guiberteau as a sports director for the 2011 season. The 42-year-old Frenchman took the 2010 season off after a ten-year career as a sports director for Bbox Bouygues Telecom, and has now returned to the
sport with the Dutch Pro Continental team.
“Skil-Shimano is a team that suits me because of the modern philosophy,” said Guiberteau in a press release. “The intensive guidance of the riders, the attention for innovation and the ethics codes are key aspects bearing in mind cycling’s future.
While at Bbox, which will become Europcar next season, Guiberteau worked with several of the six French cyclists who will ride for Skil-Shimano in 2011, including one of the team’s final signings, Matthew Sprick.
“The team spirit – Skil-Shimano have a close-knit, loyal staff – and the ambition of the team also appeal to me,” said Guiberteau. “It’s my objective to help the team to participate in the most important races and to help our riders to perform well.”
Iwan Spekenbrink, general manager of the Dutch Pro Continental team, is pleased with the inclusion of an experienced Frenchman on the team to compliment the French riders and increase their bid for a Tour de France invitation in 2011.
“Christian brings experience and he has a modern view of cycling that dovetails excellently with our team’s philosophy,” he said. “His duties include taking charge of a substantial part of the race schedule as directeur sportif and strengthening Skil-Shimano’s
position in France.”
The Dutch team rode the Tour in 2009 but, along with fellow Dutch team Vacansoleil, was disappointed not to be invited in 2010. Now that Vacansoleil has been awarded a ProTeam licence, the team’s invitation to the Tour will be automatic, but Skil-Shimano
still need to prove themselves.
“We have a lot of confidence in the team for next season,” said Spekenbrink. “I can certainly say that on paper this is the strongest squad we’ve ever had.”
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