Liquigas Pro Cycling, to be known as Liquigas-Cannondale in 2011, has announced the signing of seven more riders to complete its 29-man roster. The acid-green and blue team has taken on three more Italians, and a German; the team also adds a little non-European culture with two Americans and an Australian.
The new names are: Mauro Da Dalto and Simone Ponzi from Lampre-Farnese Vini, Alan Marangoni from Colnago-CSF, Dominik Nerz from Milram, Timmy Duggan from Garmin-Transitions, Ted King from the Cervélo TestTeam, and Cameron Wurf from Androni Giocattoli.
“We found what we need,” said Roberto Amadio, Liquigas Sport Team Manager. “The new arrivals guarantee a high level of reliability and will greatly contribute to the team. We’re excited to work with the new riders and are thrilled to welcome back Da Dalto to the 2011 team.”
Mauro Da Dalto signed on as a stagiere with Liquigas in August 2005 and spent three full years in the green and blue colours before departing for Lampre in 2009. Ponzi and Nerz are both relatively new professionals, aged just 23 and 21 respectively, while Wurf and Marangoni are relatively inexperienced with just a few years at the top level between them.
Duggan and king found themselves without a team with the 2011 merger of the Cervélo TestTeam and Garmin-Transitions. With Liquigas’ long-standing bike supplier Cannondale stepping up to become a name sponsor next year, the acquisition of the two Americans makes sound marketing sense.
“Cannondale is committed to pushing the envelope of road racing with the end goal of having the best riders race and test our products, ” said Bob Burbank, General Manager of Cannondale. “The additional athletes joining the Liquigas Pro Cycling team for the 2011 season share Cannondale’s commitment and passion to the global sport of cycling.”
With the departure of Czech rider Roman Kreuziger to Team Astana, and the uncertainty around provisionally suspended Franco Pellizotti, the Liquigas-Cannondale team will build its 2011 season around Giro d’Italia winner Ivan Basso and Vuelta a España winner Vincenzo Nibali.