Lance Armstrong’s new RadioShack racing team is getting ready to ride.
Team manager Johan Bruyneel announced a 26-rider lineup for 2010 on Monday, including Armstrong’s former Astana teammates Levi Leipheimer, Andreas Kloeden and Yaroslav Popovych.
Armstrong, a seven-time Tour de France champion, came out of retirement to race the 2009 tour with Astana and finished third at age 37, making him the second-oldest rider to make the podium.
But there was friction with teammate and race winner Alberto Contador, and Armstrong struck out to form his own team where he could be the lead rider again. Bruyneel directed all of Armstrong’s seven tour victories and was with Astana in 2009.
RadioShack draws riders from 16 countries, and Bruyneel called it a good mix of experience and youth.
Kloeden finished sixth at the 2009 Tour de France. Leipheimer was in fourth after 12 stages when he broke his wrist and had to withdraw. Also joining RadioShack from Astana is Haimar Zubeldia.
“Our main goal will be the Tour de France and other stage races, but I am confident that, with these riders, we can perform very well in the one-day races as well,” Bruyneel said.
The team has scheduled a two-week training camp in Tucson, Ariz. in December. It is scheduled to make its racing debut at the 2010 Tour Down Under in Australia.
Showing posts with label Andreas Kloeden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andreas Kloeden. Show all posts
Armstrong’s Radioshack granted ProTour licence
Sunday, October 18, 2009 0 comments
PARIS, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Lance Armstrong’s RadioShack team has been granted a ProTour licence that guarantees the American outfit entry into next year’s Tour de France, the International Cycling Union (UCI) said on Friday.
“Following the examination of a request received, the Licence Commission has awarded a four-year UCI ProTour licence for the period 2010 to 2013 to Team RadioShack (USA),” the UCI said in a statement.
Seven times champion Armstrong, announced the creation of RadioShack during July’s Tour de France, which he finished in third place overall.
The 38-year-old returned to the sport in January, riding for the Astana team, after 3-1/2 years in retirement.
For next season, Armstrong, will be able to rely on experienced riders, notably American Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Kloeden of Germany.
Leipheimer, 35, has finished in the top 10 on the Tour four times—including third in 2007. Kloeden, 34, finished second overall in the Tour de France in 2004 and 2006.
Belgian manager Johan Bruyneel, the man behind Armstrong’s seven Tour titles, is set to leave Astana to join RadioShack when the American starts his 2010 season at the Tour Down Under in January.
RadioShack, however, will also bank on promising young riders.
“Sam Bewley (age 22) and Bjorn Selander (21) make the jump from the Trek-Livestrong U23 team, while Daryl Impey (24), Ivan Rovny (22) and Ben Hermans (23) all come from major European teams,” RadioShack said on their website on Friday (www.teamradioshack.us).
“Janez Brajkovic who comes with Armstrong from Astana, will be only 26 in December,” the team said.
“Following the examination of a request received, the Licence Commission has awarded a four-year UCI ProTour licence for the period 2010 to 2013 to Team RadioShack (USA),” the UCI said in a statement.
Seven times champion Armstrong, announced the creation of RadioShack during July’s Tour de France, which he finished in third place overall.
The 38-year-old returned to the sport in January, riding for the Astana team, after 3-1/2 years in retirement.
For next season, Armstrong, will be able to rely on experienced riders, notably American Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Kloeden of Germany.
Leipheimer, 35, has finished in the top 10 on the Tour four times—including third in 2007. Kloeden, 34, finished second overall in the Tour de France in 2004 and 2006.
Belgian manager Johan Bruyneel, the man behind Armstrong’s seven Tour titles, is set to leave Astana to join RadioShack when the American starts his 2010 season at the Tour Down Under in January.
RadioShack, however, will also bank on promising young riders.
“Sam Bewley (age 22) and Bjorn Selander (21) make the jump from the Trek-Livestrong U23 team, while Daryl Impey (24), Ivan Rovny (22) and Ben Hermans (23) all come from major European teams,” RadioShack said on their website on Friday (www.teamradioshack.us).
“Janez Brajkovic who comes with Armstrong from Astana, will be only 26 in December,” the team said.
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