Juan Jose Cobo joins Geox-TMC for the 2011 season
Spanish outfit Geox-TMC has announced that Juan Jose Cobo will rejoin his former manager Mauro Gianetti for the 2011 season.
This year, the Spaniard spent a disappointing season racing for Caisse d'Epargne, but will now reunite with Gianetti after spending five seasons with the Italian's Saunier-Duval team between 2004 and 2009.
"It's been a tough season for me from a psychological point of view, and I'm a rider who needs to feel stable to be able to give my very best," Cobo said after an unsuccessful season, according to
Velonation.
"I'm returning to the directors who brought me to my top level. We each know one another's good and bad points and I'm sure this will help to bring me back to the performances of the three years before this past bad season."
Cobo's spell at Saunier-Duval saw the climber claim the overall victory at the 2007 Vuelta al Pais Vasco and a stage win at the 2008 Tour de France.
In 2009, the Spaniard claimed the 19th stage in the Vuelta a Espana before making the switch to Caisse d'Epargne.
Gianetti knows Cobo's credentials
"As all of us know the sporting quality Cobo has," Gianetti said after the deal was announced, adding that Cobo will function as a support rider for team leaders Denis Menchov and Carlos Sastre, whose transfers to Geox were completed earlier this year.
"He has already shown he can ride with the best, in the mountains as well as in the time trials, and he will be a great helper for the team leaders."
The influential manager also confirmed that David Gutierrez will continue to ride for his team after impressing for Footon-Servetto-Fuji, the team's current moniker, during 2010.
"Gutierrez has earned his continuity with the team. He showed a professional, serious attitude all season, that's why he deserves this opportunity."
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