Sylwester Szmyd joins Team Movistar
Sylwester Szmyd has decided to join the Spanish side, Team Movistar for the coming season after spending 12 years with the Italian teams.
The Polish marked his professional debut with Team Mercatone Uno in 2002 and spent a period of two-years with the side.
He joined Team Saeco Macchine per Caffe in 2004 and moved to Team Lampre-Caffita for 2005-08 seasons.
The experienced domestique penned a deal with Team Liquigas in 2009 and served the team with his expertise through 2012.
His main job was to help the team leader, but Szmyd also managed to claim his own victories and made full use of every opportunity that came his way.
The skilful domestique bagged stage 5 of the Criterium du Dauphine Libere 2009, stage 4 of the Giro d’Italia 2010 and occupied the third overall position at the Giro del Trentino 2012.
While commenting on his switch to Team Movistar, he noted that a change of “scenery” was necessary to uphold the level of motivation in his professional career.
Szmyd also cited that the sport has changed dramatically in the past few years, referring to Lance Armstrong incident, and stated that his profession is much cleaner now.
"I think it was the right time for a change of scenery," said Szmyd on Bicicilismo.
"I needed to find other stimuli so I can remain motivated after 12 years as a professional. That is the reason for the change, to see what it’s like in another environment".
Sylwester is excited to work with his new team leader Alejandro Valverde and is also hopeful that he will have his own chances to lead the team at the stage races like the Tour of Poland.
"I know I cannot win a big tour at Movistar. They have two great riders who won the Vuelta [Valverde and Juan José Cobo],” he voiced
Valverde is a great rider, he has always shown himself in every race and he can win on any terrain. He is a complete rider".
The 34-year-old signed a two-year deal with Team Movistar and is optimistic to help the team early on the season.
He will be seen in action at the first Grand Tour race of the season, the Santos Tour Under 2012 in Adelaide, Australia.
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