Two-time Tour de France green jersey winner Thor Hushovd said today that he will create a team focused on growing the sport on the southern coast of the country. The team will be sponsored by Norwegian bank Plus Bank and Cervélo, the main sponsor of Hushovd’s current team, the Cervélo TestTeam. The team will be known as Plus Bank-Cervélo
The team will be based in Hushovd's home town of Grimstad, with its first goal to establish itself in the top of the national rankings, but it also plans to apply for a UCI license in the future so it can race internationally.
Vidar Røinaas, chairman of Grimstad cycling club said: “We hope that Thor will be a door-opener when we try to be allowed to start in international races and hope that this will raise further interest in cycling in Southern Norway. This will be a springboard for athletes here and will be a great motivation for young cyclists.”
Hushovd's personal trainer Atle Kvålsvoll said in a press release, "Thor Hushovd is keen to contribute to cycling so that more Southerners can follow in his footsteps. He has been a great supporter for the parent club Grimstad SK for many years. Together with strong partners and Thor's commitment the sport in Southern Norway will take a step forward."
Hushovd, who won stage 6 of the Tour de France into Barcelona, Spain this year, told TV2, "This is a result of developments I see in the sport over the last year. I see that the fields have become much larger and we have several local riders coming up. I thought it was bad that these cyclists down here did not to have their own team. I'm doing this to give something back to my home, but also for the other teams so that they will improve by increased competition."