Team Movistar picks up Appollonio
Hot off his second-place in the Tour de Vendée, Davide Appollonio has signed with Team Movistar, the new squad built on the foundations of Caisse d’Epargne.
The 21-year-old Appolonio began his professional career with the Cervelo Test Team in 2009 and continued with them in 2010, when he took his first professional victory in the fourth and final stage of the Tour du Limousin in August.
“I cannot believe it, I knew I had good legs from the beginning of the race, but to win a hard stage like this and to take my first pro victory is incredible,” said Appollonio. “I have to say thanks to my team for the trust and the way they supported me.”
He used his good form to finish in second place in the GP de Fourmies and in the Tour de Vendée on Sunday, standing on the podium ahead of Jonathan Hivert and behind Kolba Fernandez.
"I was dreaming of winning, but when I saw Fernandez passing me, there was nothing to do."
So far the team has named 22 riders for the 2011 season and has stated they plan to have 23. Most of the riders are from the Caisse d’Epargne team, from which Movistar is evolving. Appollonio will be supported by his current Cervelo teammate Ignatas Konovalovas
and Xavier Tondo, with four other riders signed from the outside. Team manager Eusebio Unzue remains the long-time constant in the organisation.
“The human aspect is essential in this partnership,” said Movistar general secretary Luis Abril. “I [have] known everyone in this team since the Banesto years. The continuity of the structure, the philosophy of the team and the confidence we have in Eusebio
Unzue have prevailed.”
Appolonia will be splitting from his lead-out man Heinrich Haussler, who was partially responsible for his podium finish in Vendée. Haussler will riding for Garmin-Cervelo next season.
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