Former Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre has been announced as the first big signing for the new Team Geox, a multi-million euro project which will build on the existing Footon-Servetto-Fuji squad.
The 35 year old Spaniard has competed with the Cervélo Test Team for the past two seasons but has decided to opt for a change in a bid to return to his top form. He met with general manager Mauro Gianetti in recent days and these talks were both productive and rapid.
“We met each other and signed a contract in just two days,” said Gianetti. “It was enough to explain him the guidelines of the project from Geox to get an instantly good feeling. All of us have got to know his extraordinary results, but the main reasons to convince myself were his ambition and big professionalism.
“I'm confident that Sastre will be able to find new motivation in this new squad. We chose him not only by his big palmarès, but also because of the focus he's setting on the upcoming years.”
Sastre is enthusiastic about the move, and says that his motivation is returning. “The trust that they‘ve placed in me since the very first conversations has been the most important factor that has pushed me towards this new project, but the background and experience of its leaders has also had an influence as they’ve been in cycling for years and years,” he explained.
“At the moment, I’m enjoying riding more than ever as I’ve rediscovered the fighting cyclist that’s always been inside me. This new challenge is exciting and it will provide me with what I’ve been fighting for all my life”, he added.”
Sastre was one of the key signings for the Cervélo Test Team prior to the 2009 season and his name and reputation were leverage for the team to get wildcard invites to the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France. He won the Tour in 2008 and had many seasons of strong results in Grand Tours, being regarded as a specialist climber who got stronger as three-week races progressed.
He also played an important role in helping to set up the Cervélo squad and this off-bike experience may prove useful in the expansion of the current Footon-Servetto-Fuji team.
“We would like to thank Carlos for his contribution to the Cervélo TestTeam in the past two years, and for a great collaboration during his eight years of riding a Cervélo. We have fond memories of this period, with of course his 2008 Tour de France victory as the absolute highlight," said Cervélo's co-founder Gerard Vroomen. "We wish him the best for the future and are convinced he will ride a great Vuelta. Our team will support him in the best possible way.”
Other big names such as Damiano Cunego are rumoured to be on the team’s wish list, but Sastre is the first signing for the 2011 season.
The team said that shared goals helped lead to the rapid deal. “There's a bunch of interests from both parties at the end of this agreement: on the one hand, a sporting and development project in a mid-long term; on the other hand, a will to count on a rider with such a palmares, willing to stay on the maximum competitive level for a longer period.”
Italian footwear company Geox confirmed in recent days that it was coming on board to back the team. It is rumoured to be putting in €50 million over five years.
No rider names were released last week, but the press release issued then mentioned that it had two top names lined up. "To achieve its objectives, the team consists of two high-level international riders and of young talents, to ensure sporting results and the promotion of the Geox brand worldwide," it stated.
The identity of the other big rider should be confirmed in the near future.
Sastre performed strong in last year’s Giro d’Italia, but then didn’t perform to his usual standards in the Tour. His performances in both Grand Tours this year were affected by injury, but he’ll hope that his move to a new squad will herald a return to his previous level as a top challenger.
The team have not stated the duration of the 35 year old’s contract. He will line out in the Vuelta a España at the end of this month, with the race likely to be one of the last ones he does in Cervélo colours. He said that he is highly motivated to end things on a high note with the Swiss squad.
“This decision will not alter anything regarding my participation in the Vuelta a España,” he promised. “What’s more, it is spurring me on even more to fight it out in a race that I really like and which I feel a lot of respect and fondness for. Now I just hope that the team will give me the chance to race with team mates who, like me, want to fight for this race.”