Jeremy Hunt and Davide Appollonio to join Team Sky
British Team Sky has confirmed the signings of former Cervelo TestTeam riders Jeremy Hunt and Davide Appollonio for 2011.
37-year-old Hunt is a veteran British support rider who helped Miguel Indurain to win the Tour de France and has taken 14 individual victories of his own, including the British national champion title in 1997 and 2001.
21-year-old Appollonio is an Italian sprinter who has had a strong debut season, including a stage win at the Tour de Limousin and several podium finishes.
"Our two latest signings perfectly represent the mix of youth and experience, which we are bringing to the team," said team principal Dave Brailsford.
"Davide is a great talent and has already shown fantastic promise over the past two years with several race wins. Jeremy on the other hand, brings a wealth of experience with him, which the younger riders will be able to benefit greatly from. His achievements
speak for themselves and he is a well-respected rider within the peloton."
The two riders bring the team to a total of five new signings, and Brailsford has hinted that the team might fill its maximum quota of 30 riders enforced by the UCI.
Alex Dowsett, Rigoberto Urán and Xabier Zandio have already been confirmed for the team and others are expected, including the possibility of another Italian, Franco Pellizotti. Pellizotti had been provincially suspended by the UCI,
but was recently cleared of any alleged biological passport violations by the Italian anti-doping court (CONI).
"I've spoken directly to Dave Brailsford at Team Sky, but the interest came from Sky Italia and the team's bike sponsor Pinarello," said the Italian’s agent Alex Carera.
"I've got to talk to Franco about the interest when he gets back from his holidays next week, but a decision could be made soon about his future."
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