Daniele Bennati to lead RadioShack-Nissan-Trek in its debut race, Tour Down Under 2012
The newly formed team, RadioShack-Nissan-Trek, is all set to take on the first season, with Daniele Bennati leading the squad at the Tour Down Under 2012. The Tour starts in January every year, with cyclists from all across the world gathering to welcome
the new season.
Tour Down Under is scheduled from January 15 to 22. It was given the status of 2.HC in 2005, which is the highest ranking given to any race outside Europe.
The race became the first UCI Pro Tour event outside Europe in 2008 and later became the opening event of the UCI World Rankings.
Race Director Mike Turtur commented on the Italian sprinter, “I am sure Bennati will start the year strong and aim for results at our race as the first WorldTour race of the season”.
A surprise package in RadioShack’s squad is the inclusion of Jens Voigt, as the 40-year-old German rider will attract numerous fans.
Turtur commented, “We look forward to welcoming back Jens Voigt. Not only is Jens is a three time Tour de France stage winner, he is an absolute crowd favourite”.
The team announced its full squad of seven riders for the Australian race. Daniele Bennati will ride along with Ben Hermans, Tiago Machado, Linus Gerdemann, Hayden Roulston, Jesse Sergent and Jens Voigt.
RadioShack-Nissan-Trek is currently holding its training in Calpe, which is attended by almost all the team members.
Mike observed, “RadioShack-Nissan-Trek has selected an impressive line-up to include a mix of Grand Tour experience and youthful competitiveness in their Santos Tour Down Under squad”.
Team RadioShack-Nissan-Trek will see Jose Azevedo in the Team Manager’s role for the coming event.
Stuart O’Grady of Australia and the German cyclist, Andre Greipel, are the only two cyclists who have won the event twice. Grady claimed the overall win in 1999 and 2001 whereas Greipel won it in 2008 and 2010.
Australian cyclist Cameron Meyer won the most recent version of the race in 2011. Mike Turtur, who is performing the race director duties since 1999, has done a splendid job over the years. He is looking forward to yet another productive Tour Down Under.
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