Roberto Ferrari all set to mark his debut with Team Lampre-Merida at the Santos Tour Down Under 2013
As the 2012 season approaches its end, all the professional cycling teams are getting ready to welcome the New Year, with the UCI Inaugural event in Australia, the Santos Tour Down Under 2013.
The Italian World Tour side, Team Lampre-Merida has finalised its squad of seven-men to be sent in Australia for the mission and Roberto Ferrari will make his debut with the team at the six-day race.
"Australia will be the start of something new for me. I'm motivated: I want to test myself against the best sprinters in the WorldTour and I'll have the extra kick of the adrenaline from making my debut with Team Lampre," Ferrari said in a team’s press release.
"I'll also have a chance to enter the cycling record books: If I win in Australia, it'll mean my palmares includes a win on each of the five continents because I've already won in Europe, Asia, America and Africa".
The 29-year-old marked his professional debut with Team Tenax in 2006 and spent a period of two-years with the team.
He also rode for Team LPR Brakes-Ballan (2008-09), Team De Rosa-Stac Plastic (2010) and moved to Team Androni Giocattoli for 2011-12 seasons.
The cyclist had several commendable performances in the current season including first place finishes at the Route Adelie, Fleche d’Emeraude along with a stage each at the Tour de Taiwan and the Giro d’Italia 2012.
Despite the fantastic display of his abilities in the past two seasons, he earned fame for his bold sprinting during the second stage of the Giro d’Italia 2012, bringing down several riders especially Mark Cavendish, who still has not forgotten the incident.
The final Team Lampre outfit for this year’s Santos Tour Down Under includes, Davide Cimolai, Elia Favilli, Manuele Mori, Daniele Pietropolli, Simone Stortoni, Roberto Ferrari and Matthew Lloyd.
“I want to pay back the team for the trust they have in me and the Australia fans for their support," Lloyd said.
The Santos Tour Down Under is scheduled from January 22-27 and winner of the race will be awarded with a 100 UCI points while the second and the third position holders will receive 80 and 70 points respectively.
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