Team BMC fail to retain Alexander Kristoff as he signs with Katusha – Cycling News
Norwegian cyclist Alexander Kristoff who joined BMC Racing Team for 2010-11 seasons has finally decided to leave the American team and has moved to the Russian team Katusha for the next season. Team BMC has strengthened itself by retaining the Tour de France
2011 winner Cadel Evans as they have signed the Australian for three more years. Philippe Gilbert and Thor Hushovd have also signed the team of Gavin Chilcott (General Manager) and John Lelangue (Directeur Sportif) for 2012.
During his time with BMC Kristoff has secured third position in Philadelphia International Championship and fourth in Vattenfall Cyclassics for 2010 season. For 2011 he finished first in the National Road Race Championship, finished at fourth position at
stage 8 of the Giro d’ Italia, fifth in KBC Drieaage van De Panne-Koksijde Stage.
Kristoff added about the Katusha's directeur Sportif Andrei Tchmil as he said, “It was enough for Andrei Tchmil, in few words, to outline the team’s future plans for me to understand that this was the best choice for my career.” He further added that he
will work hard with dedication and his full support to the team and will not let down Tchmil who has shown faith in him.
At the age of 16 he won the Norwegian youth championship as he ended the Youth Olympics at fourth position. Kristoff turned professional in 2006 as he joined Glud and Marstrand Horsens and became the Norwegian road champion in 2007 as he defeated Thor Hushovd.
The 24-year-old shared his thoughts on signing the team as he mentioned, “I’m very happy to have reached this agreement with Katusha. It was the team I was dreaming of, the one which on a technical level offered me the most solid guarantees.”
While BMC has managed to sign in the top players for the 2012 it seems like team has failed to impress the Norwegian sprinter and team Katusha has availed the opportunity. Another big addition in team Katusha was Valerio Piva’s who has signed Katusha for
2012 after team HTC has announced their demise at the end of the season.
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