GreenEdge have announced the signing of Dutch rider Pieter Weening as the team rolls out more new recruits. The Australian team is aiming to becoming the first from the country to obtain a UCI ProTeam license, and have so far welcomed veteran professional Stuart O'Grady, Jack Bobridge, Cameron and Travis Meyer and Eritrean Daniel Teklehaymanot to the outfit.
Weening is the second non-Australian to join the team and caught their attention at the Giro d’Italia this year when he won stage five and wore the leader’s jersey for several days. The Dutchman’s first professional win came when he won a stage at the Tour de France in 2005, narrowly outsprinting Andreas Klöden to be awarded the stage by 0.0002 seconds.
“Being able to win at the two biggest tours in the world doesn’t come by chance, particularly when you look at the quality of the victories across such difficult terrain,” said General Manager Shayne Bannan.
“Pieter brings great climbing qualities for our grand tour ambitions and also has plenty to offer in the one day classic, where we’ll be aiming to make a mark.
“A key factor in going after Pieter and getting him to sign with the team is he’s at a great point in his career. He’s been in the professional peloton for eight seasons yet is only 30 years of age. This is the perfect balance of experience while still being his prime.”
Weening has spent his entire career with Rabobank since turning professional in 2004. Prior to that also came through their development ranks. He has spent a lot of his time riding in support of team-mates but now will have the opportunity to be one of the leaders on GreenEdge, citing this as one of the main reasons he signed for the team.
“As a Dutchman it was a privilege for me to ride for my country’s biggest team and I want to thank Rabobank for the 12-years I had with them and the opportunities they gave me to develop as a rider,” Weening said.
“But it’s now time for the next stage in my career and joining GreenEDGE is a great new opportunity for me to help build a team and pursue my own ambitions.
“I’m also looking forward to being part of a team from Australia, which is one of the most exciting cycling countries in the world. They can’t be producing so many promising young cyclists without doing something right.”
GreenEdge is expected to announce more signings in the coming days and has previously stated its roster will comprise 80% Australians. Veteran sprinter Robbie McEwen is rumoured to be postponing retirement by a year in order to join the team.