Team Type 1 signs two more riders
In support of its application for a Pro Continental license, Team Type 1 has signed two more winning riders to its squad, including ten-time national Hungarian time-trial champion Laszlo Bodrogi. The 33-year-old rider, transferring from team Katusha, will
be joined by Italian Daniele Callegarin.
“Bodrogi brings great world-class time trial experience to Team Type 1 and his presence is a remarkable addition to the squad,” said team director Vassili Davidenko.
The Hungarian has a record of stage wins in the Paris-Nice, Tour of Denmark and Three Days of De Panne races. Team Type 1 CEO Phil Southerland feels that Bodrogi could be the missing piece in the team’s stage race lineup.
“What the team has always lacked is a killer in the time trial, and now together with [Rubens] Bertogliati and [Alexander] Efimkin, we now have the potential to show up at any event with a prologue and let Laszlo fly.”
28-year-old Callegarin finished seventh in the Trofeo Matteotti this season and took several podium finishes last year.
“Callegarin is really a terrific all-round rider, with a lot of deep talent,” said Davidenko. “He can climb well and is just a really strong, complete rider.”
Their application to be promoted from Continental to Pro Continental status hit a snag due to their inability to secure a bank guarantee by Monday. The team was not included on the list of teams released on Tuesday, but both Southerland and the UCI have
since confirmed that the delay has been sorted out and the application will go through.
The American-based team includes several riders with Type 1 diabetes and was founded with the intention to be a platform for these riders. Team Type 1 will be moving to an Italian base in 2010 and has been strengthening their lineup for a full European program.
The team plans to announce more signings in the coming days.
Tags: