National champion Cardoso ready to step up a level

by Conal Andrews at 8:59 AM EST

Portuguese national champion Manuel Cardoso is motivated to ride well in 2010, and wants to make a good impression in his move from the Professional Continental level to the ProTour Footon-Servetto team.

“My main objective is to confirm myself in the peloton,” he told the Portuguese agency Lusa. “I have chosen the best team for that. I think little by little and working hard, I will get there. They are at a higher level, the best racers in the world.

He took several victories in 2009, including the national title plus stages in the Circuit du Lorraine and the Tropicale Amissa Bongo. However his season was disrupted when the Liberty Seguros team was raided and collapsed.

Moving to Footon-Servetto shows that things have worked out well for the 26 year old. "I know I'll be on a different level and that the transition will be difficult, but I hope to achieve [results], and do beautiful things throughout the year.”

Cardoso is due to meet his new team-mates today at the start of the team training camp in Hoznayo, Spain. His schedule will likely see him start in the Tour Down Under, then ride the GP Costa Etrusca and the Mallorca Challenge.

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