Global Cycling Project launches a new side, Team RusVelo, for the 2012 season
Team Katusha’s financer, Global Cycling Project announced its support for the new Russian side, Team RusVelo, on Tuesday.
The announcement was made in Mallorca as the full squad for both of their women’s and men’s professionals lined up for their first race, Le Tour of Langkawi, scheduled from February 24th to March 4th, 2012.
Heiko Salzwedel, the team’s General Manager, with his immense experience of racing across the globe, will certainly help the team with an ideal start.
The German holds the honour of coaching his native side, Team Germany before moving to Australia in 1990, to join Australian Institute of Sport Racing.
The establishment produced a number of World class cyclists, including Cadel Evans, Robbie McEwen, Patrick Jonker, Matt White, Henk Vogels, Nick Gates and Kathy Watt.
Heiko noted, "I come from a solid background always at the top of professional sport and I am sure that my experience in RusVelo will grow further. We have before us an important season, with the Olympic track events, road and time trials".
The team just finished a gruelling training camp in Australia to ensure its peak form before the upcoming races of the season.
Salzwedel voiced that the team trained really hard and is optimistic to start the season on a higher note as their first target is the Tour of Langkawi 2012.
Five time cyclo-cross world champion, Hanka Kupfernagel is the key cyclist in the team.
The German has diverted his attention towards road racing, with the Olympic time trial and the World Championships as the main goals for his 2012 season.
He revealed, "Now I'll start the preparation for the Olympic time trial in London, which will be my big goal of the season. Then I hope do well at the world time trial in the Netherlands, another goal that I feel is within my reach".
The women squad of the newly formed team will be tested in Belgium at Het Volk on February 25th.
The team will then be tested in the Ronde van Drenthe for the World Cup Debut on March 10th and will migrate to Italy for the Trofeo Binda 2012.
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