Devolder, Irizar, Popovych, Rast, Roulston, and Sergent sign on to support Cancellara
Roulston
Trek is happy to confirm that it has reached an agreement with six key riders for its new WorldTour Team starting in 2014. Stijn Devolder, Markel Irizar, Yaroslav Popovych, Gregory Rast, Hayden Roulston and Jesse Sergent will bring consistency and fire power to the classics group, lead by multiple Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders winner Fabian Cancellara.
Irizar
Sports director Dirk Demol: “This group of riders has been essential to Fabian’s success in 2012 and especially 2013. Their dedication to him was beyond belief. Fabian’s name is the one on the roll of honor of the great classic races that we all love, but these support riders were all ready to sacrifice themselves to the team’s interest. They are warriors, true unsung heroes. I am delighted and proud that we are able to keep this group together. From here on we keep on working hard, toward many more successes.”
Devolder
On extending his stay with the team for another two years, Devolder (33) said: ³It was not a difficult decision to stay with the team. Luca (Guercilena) and Dirk (Demol) have given me back the confidence I lost for a few years when I was going bad. We came to an agreement quickly and I’m really happy to stay aboard this team.”
Devolder saw a return to his vintage form in the spring, and then went on to win the Belgian Road Championships in a stunning way. “I had two goals laid out this winter: to be a sound rider again in the classic races and then to win the Belgian title. Now I¹ve ticked off both boxes. My ambition for the next years is the same: being a key support rider for Fabian in the classics and then pick a couple of personal goals later on in the season.”
Irizar
Markel Irizar (33), a most loyal and enthusiastic hard man from the Basque Country, has signed a three-year deal with Trek Factory Racing. Irizar: “Trek offered me a three year contract, which I feel is a great sign of confidence in me as an athlete. I’m dedicated to returning that trust by working hard and committing to the team and its leaders.
Irizar opted almost intuitively to remain with the existing classics core. “Obviously, I’m very excited about getting on board of the new Trek team. I’ve been on a Trek bike since 2010 and I look back at the last four years with a very good and satisfying feeling,² he said.
Popovych
Another 33-year old that will have a crucial role in the classics line-up for the next two years is Yaroslav Popovych. “The team spirit and the professionalism of everyone, including Trek, is incredible. With Trek stepping up now, I believe we’re in for a great ride. The team is great and I’m very happy that Trek wanted to offer me a new contract.”
“I have been riding in the same team with guys like Rasty and Markel for four years now. With Fabian and Hayden also for two year already. I’m very excited that we go on with this team, not only for the classics, but also for the races that come after Paris-Roubaix.”
Rast
Only too often the indefatigable motor of lieutenant Gregory Rast (33) has proven to be critical. ³There’s not a lot to say, honestly. I’m not a man that likes many changes,² explained Rast. ³We were the world’s number one classics team in 2013 and we have the potential to remain the same in the coming years.”
A long time friend of Cancellara’s, Rast will stay by his side for another 3 years. Rast: “Fabian and I go way back. We raced against each other when we were juniors. He’s one of the greatest classics riders in the history of our sport and guys like me can achieve greatness too, by supporting him.”
Roulston
Hayden Roulston, the 32-year old National Champion of New Zealand, said it’s great to be able to commit his future to the new Trek team: “It wasn’t a difficult decision for me. It¹s one thing to feel good on the bike, but it’s equally important to have a good feeling off the bike. The Classics group is an incredible bunch of people. We always have a fantastic time when we’re on the road.”
Roulston continued: “Fabian is such a natural leader that it’s an honor for all of us to work for him. I’ve been a pro rider for ten years now and this is absolutely the best team I’ve ridden for.”
Sergent
The sixth rider that today has confirmed his signing to Trek is 25-year old Jesse Sergent from New Zealand. “Staying with this set-up felt like the natural thing to do. The team has shown real faith in me as a rider and I feel like I’m constantly improving, both in the classics races and in the time trials. I’m very proud that they continue to believe in my talent and I am determined to return this with a lot of hard work.”
Trek
“The combination of Dirk, Fabian and all these guys together make this the World¹s most formidable Classics team,² said Trek Sports Marketing Manager Simon Thompson. ³Only one guy gets to cross the line first, but it¹s not possible to win the world¹s toughest one-day races without the best team and support around you. This group embodies everything that is great about the Trek Factory Racing Team; they are passionate and committed to go to war for one another and the success of the team.
Trek is announcing the signing of two talented young riders to their 2014 WorldTour Team roster: Julián Arredondo (COL) and Riccardo Zoidl (AUT). Both riders bring massive amounts of potential to the team, and further the program’s investment in the future of cycling.
Julián David Arredondo Moreno
Colombian native Julián Arredondo comes to the program off a strong season riding primarily in Asia with Team Nippo-De Rosa. The talented 25-year-old finished 1st overall in the 2013 Tour de Kumano, and 2nd overall in the 2013 Tour of Japan where he won the young rider classification while helping his team to the overall classification.
“I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity. Every day I wake up and I couldn’t be happier,” Arredondo said. “It’s very hard for young people to make a future in my country. This chance is huge for me. I’ll try to make everything out of this and will show every day that Trek was right to pick me.”
“Julián did really well in the races of the Asian Tour. We tested him and his results were very good, said team General Manager Luca Guercilena. “His attitude is also very good. He’ll be a strong support for our leaders in the climbs.”
Riccardo Zoidl
2013 Tour of Austria champion Riccardo Zoidl, joins the project from Team Gourmetfein-Simplon (AUT). The Austrian native and runner-turned-cyclist just three weeks younger than his new teammate Arredondo, brings versatility with a talent for climbing and timetrialing as well as an impressive resumé. “My hope is that I can keep developing as a rider with the Trek team,” said Zoidl. “I’m very excited about this. It’s a dream come true. I had other possibilities, but this project looks really solid and promising to me. I’ll be able to learn and accomplish a lot here.” In just two years of full-time professional racing Zoidl won the Tour of Austria, the Austrian Time Trial National Championship, the overall at Oberösterreichrundfahrt, a stage and the overall at Tour de Bretagne, and a stage and the overall at Circuti des Ardennes.”
General Manager Luca Guercelina said of the two-time Austrian Time Trial National Champion, “Riccardo is a very complete rider, who performs well in many disciplines. We had him on our radar before, but after the Tour of Austria, we looked into him. We want to give them opportunities to grow here, especially in the smaller stage races.”
