Argentine sprinter joins Alessandro Petacchi and Roberto Ferrari at Blue-fuchsia team
Lampre-Merida [currently Lampre-ISD - ed] has added further speed to its 2013 team with the signing of Argentinean sprinter Maximiliano Richeze. The 28-year-old has spent the last two years at Team Nippo, taking several victories - especially in Japan and South America - and is the reigning Pan-American champion.
"What an honour for me to have the chance to be part of Team Lampre!” he enthused. “It's very exciting to become a WorldTour cyclist, especially in the team of Mr [Giuseppe] Saronni, who is always skilful in appreciating the value of the riders.
“I'll do my best to pay off the trust the team placed in me".
Richeze served a two-year suspension after testing positive for Stanozolol at the Circuit de la Sarthe in April 2008, while he was riding for CSF Group-Navigare; his case was originally dismissed by the Argentinean Cycling Federation, but the International Cycling Union (UCI) successfully appealed the case to the Court for Arbitration in Sport (CAS).
He will be Lampre-Merida’s third sprinter secured for the 2013 season, alongside fellow newcomer Roberto Ferrari and established veteran Alessandro Petacchi. While his victories in recent years have come in smaller races, Richeze has taken several placings in larger Italian races; taking his new teammates’ scalps in the process.
"Richeze is very fast and his best quality is the ability in sizing the opportunities during the sprints, said Saronni, the team’s general manager. “Petacchi and Ferrari are top sprinters, but I think that also Maximiliano will be able to give us satisfaction."