Robert Wagner and Martin Pedersen join Luxembourg team
The new Luxembourg-based team of Andy and Frank Schleck continues to grow, with yet another two riders announced to the lineup. German Robert Wagner and Dane Martin Pedersen, both 27, will be moving up to the ProTeam level with the Luxembourg cycling project.
“Wagner and Pedersen are two strongmen who are keen to work for their leaders and also well- equipped to take their own personal glory when the moment presents itself,” read the team press release.
Wagner, stage winner at the Three Days of De Panne and overall winner of the Tour of North Holland, will be moving up from Skil-Shimano. Luxembourg team manager Brian Nygaard praised his toughness and strategy.
“Every year I discover new things about myself and set new goals, but now I will be able to work for my team at a Pro Tour level which will add that much more motivation!”
Pedersen will be rejoining a number of former compatriots with the new team, including Nygaard himself and senior sports director Kim Andersen, both of whom the Danish sprinter worked with at team CSC in 2006 and 2007. Pedersen rode at CSC, the precursor
to the current team Saxo Bank, before moving through several smaller teams, most recently Footon-Servetto. Nygaard explained that he knows Pedersen well and expects to fit with the team like a glove.
“I think my strengths rest in my ability to do well in many different terrains which will mean that I can be a service to the team in multiple situations,” said Pedersen. “I also have a snappy sprint, so that I can take advantage of that when given the chance
in breakaways, for instance.
The latest two signings bring the team’s total to 24 riders, one shy of their announcement that they would have a 25-man roster in 2011.
Tags: