Saxo Bank signs two, hires Communications Manager
The remodelling of Team Saxo Bank-Sungard for the 2011 season has had more than its share of difficulties, but manager Bjarne Riis is committed to the future of his team and is moving forward with the signing of Volodimir Gustov and Manuele Boaro to the
roster, and the hiring of Anders Damgaard as Communications Manager.
“We have been searching for the right profile for the job as Riis Cycling's Communications Manager for quite some time, and I'm convinced that Anders with his background as an experienced journalist fits perfect to our organization, to the team and to me,”
said Riis. “We are happy to welcome Anders as a part of our team”
The 35-year-old Damgaard was the 2008 Danish sportswriter of the year and will move from Danish news agency Ritzaus Bureau to the cycling team on January 1, when he will become responsible for internal and external communications and public relations, a
position held by Brian Nygaard before 2010. Damgaard will have the monumental task of rebuilding the team’s credibility in the wake of several scandals and crises that have developed since Alberto Contador’s positive doping test was announced in September.
“During the latest months, we have been working on restructuring our organization,” said Riis. “As a vital part of this strategy, it's natural for us to strengthen the focus on our communication, externally in relation to our stakeholders and internally
at Riis Cycling. I feel confident that Anders can help develop our future media strategy.”
The two new riders have signed one-year contracts with Riis’ team, a return to an old partnership for Gustov, who previously raced for Riis from 2006 to 2008 as a domestic and supported Ivan Basso’s Giro d’Italia victory in 2006 and Carlos Sastre’s Tour
de France victory in 2008. Boaro is a young Italian who will be riding his first full season with a pro team.
“I'm looking forward to returning to the team philosophy which has helped me - not only in cycling but also in my personal life,” said Gustov. “Actually, I'm rather emotional about returning to the team and I'm highly motivated to achieve great results with
my team-mates.”
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