Tiago Machado has successful deal with Johan Bruyneel – Cycling News
Portuguese player Tiago Machado was amongst the few cyclist who were not confirmed for the new team’s roaster after the merger of RadioShack and Nissan Trek. His first professional team was Madeinox-Boavista as he stayed with the squad for two years, 2008
and 2009. Tiago joined team RadioShack in 2010 and had no plans of leaving unless it announced the merger with Leopard Trek for the coming season.
The two teams will join to form a new squad in the coming season and the proposed name is RadioShack-Nissan-Trek. Best riders from both teams were given contracts straight away but there were a few left with no further confirmations. The Portuguese player
has managed to impress the new team’s management as he has been given a contract to ride for RadioShack-Nissan-Trek in 2012.
The 25-year-old had already signed with team RadioShack before the start of Tour de France 2011 but when the team announced the merger he had to discuss with Johan Bruyneel about his place in the team. He was relieved when he heard the news and thanked Bruyneel
for showing his faith in the rider. Velofutur.es quoted him as saying, “This is what I wanted, so I’m very happy and I want to thank Johan Bruyneel publicly for the confidence he has always shown in me.”
Tiago mentioned that he had a great learning experience with the team over the past two years and that is why he extended the contract. He had seen a lot of success during the time spent with RadioShack as he finished the Giro del Trentino 2011 at second
place. Machado was fifth overall at the Criterium International and finished the Tour d’ Algarve at sixth position this year. He participated at the two grand tours and finished the Giro d Italia 2011 at 20th position and Vuelta a Espana 2011 in
32nd position.
Machado commented about team RadioShack as he said, “I know them and they know me, and since we’re all happy, it makes sense to keep working together.” Almost all the cyclists have found their new teams or have found a place in the RadioShack-Nissan-Trek’s
2012 roaster. One rider who still has not disclosed about his future is Janez Brajkovic as it is believed that the 27-year-old will sign with team Astana for the coming season.
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