Donckers Koffie to back Marco Polo Cycling Team for the 2012 season
Marco Polo Cycling Team is backed by the new sponsor Donckers Koffie, which will support the team throughout the 2012 season.
The side started its operations as a UCI Continental team back in 2003 and it became the first registered professional Chinese team in 2005.
The team joined hands with Discovery Channel and rode under the name Discovery Channel-Marco Polo Team in 2007.
It was sponsored by Trek throughout the 2008 season and continued operating by the name Trek-Marco Polo Cycling Team for 2008 and 2009.
Trek ended its associations with the Continental side by the end of 2009 and it went by the name Marco polo Cycling Team from 2010 and 2011 seasons.
The side is optimistic for a promising start to its 2012 campaign with the new sponsor. Rudi Donckers is the owner of Donckers Koffie and he is looking ahead at a long-term relation with the side.
He voiced, "We expect to make a large contribution to this development team and its African riders, and we hope to see the young guys develop as we visit the races throughout the year".
The total number of 19 cyclists to ride through the team for the season ahead include, Matthias Van Mechelen, Daniel Abraham, Ruben Abello Sanchez, Alem Grmay Abebe, Binyam Fitsum Bekele, Sven De Weerdt and Jan Kuyckx.
Matt Green, Mathe Pronk, Leon Van Bon, Shane Archbold, Christopher Macic, Marc Ryan, Estifanos Kebede Gebresilassie, Kbrom Hailay Giday, Yirga Woidemariam Kinfe, Solomon Bitew Shiferaw, Chris Bartlett and Edward Greene will also represent the team.
Gilbert de Weerdt, the team’s Director, is fascinated by the fact that the team will ride its full professional programme in Europe this year.
"We will race numerous 1.1, 1.2 and pro races, with a focus in Belgium and in The Netherlands. Between the one day races, we will also be targeting some important international stage races in Europe, Africa and Asia", he pointed.
Gilbert believes that his team is a very balanced side with a best combination of extremely talented and experienced players will strengthen its chances for the 2012 season.
He was overwhelmed after signing the contract with Donckers Koffie and assured that the team will leave no stones unturned to guarantee its success at the coming races.
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