Maximiliano Richeze gets the World Tour boost through Team Lampre-ISD
After having an outstanding 2012 season, Maximiliano Richeze has finally made it through the top level of the sport.
The cyclist has signed with the World Tour side, Team Lampre-ISD for the 2013 season and the reigning Pan-American champion is all set to start the new season on a high note.
Team General Manager Giuseppe Saronni was delighted to have the young cyclist on his side for the season ahead and believes that his inclusion will certainly strengthen the team’s sprint department.
"Richeze is definitely fast but most of all, he's good at taking his chances in any kind of sprint. (Alessandro) Petacchi and (Roberto) Ferrari are the key sprinters but Maximiliano will be an important alternative. I hope he gets some good results," Saronni
said.
The Argentinean started his professional crusade with Team Ceramica Panaria-Navigare in 2006 and spent a period four years with the side.
He helped the team with several top performances throughout his stay and signed up with Team D’Angelo & Antenucci-Nippo in 2011.
Richeze spent two years with the team and bagged several stage victories in the current season including multiple stages at the Vuelta a Venezuela (four stages) and the Tour de Serbie 2012 (three stages).
He claimed the point’s classifications, two stages and an overall victory at the Tour de Hokkaido along with a stage 1 victory at the Tour of Japan 2012.
While commenting on his inclusion in the Italian side, he thanked the Team’s General Manager for showing faith in him.
He was quoted as saying, "It's an honour to have the chance to be part of Team Lampre. (Giuseppe) Saronni and the staff always know how to get the best out of the riders. I hope to soon win wearing my new colours”.
Team Lampre-ISD could not really perform to its abilities in the current season and could not claim any better the 14th overall position after the 2012 UCI World Tour Team’s Rankings with a total number of 435 UCI points in its account.
Damiano Cunego (184 points), Michele Scarponi (184 points), Diego Ulissi (30 points), Alessandro Petacchi (22 points) and Przemyslaw Niemiec (15 points) made the top contributions in the current season.
It will be interesting to see if the young Argentinean manages to find the right momentum early on the 2012 season.
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