HTC-Highroad has added one more
Gatis Smukulis has become the latest new young signing for HTC-Highroad. The 23-year-old Latvian won his national championships in both the road race and the time-trial in 2006 and again won the time-trial champion title in 2008, the same year he won the
classics Ronde van Vlaanderen and Les Boucles du Sud Ardeche.
“Gatis is a very talented all-around professional who likes the spring classics very much,” said team manager Rolf Aldag in a team press release. “He has earned respect in the peloton by long breakaways and as a very loyal team-mate who helps his team leader.
We believe he has great potential and we want to help him to discover how far he can go.”
Smukulis brings the American-based team’s roster to a total of 24 riders representing 15 different countries. The Latvian rode for French team AG2R La Mondiale for the last two seasons, where he primarily worked as a domestic. He will be a big benefit to
the classics squad, especially in the spring, and the young rider is expected to develop into a major talent.
"I am very pleased to be able to join this team," said Smukulis. "I am grateful that I was recognized, and I will prove myself in the best way I can. I will work with all my heart to show my membership in this strong and organized team."
The team’s first race of 2011 will be the Tour Down Under in Australian, the first major stage race of the season and the opening race of the UCI WorldTour.
“The team has won the overall and multiple stages the last three years,” said Aldag. “As a team, we enjoy the chance to prove that the hard work during the winter has paid off. The motivation from early wins at Tour Down Under gives the whole team a big
boost for the first part of the season.”
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