The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team officially announced the signing of Hendrik Redant to their management team. Redant has been appointed as European Team Director and will immediately join the team for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado which starts on 22nd August.
“We are pleased to have Hendrik join the team. We are confident he is going to be a great asset and addition to our solid group of staff, riders and management team,” said Directeur Sportif, Mike Tamayo.
“His knowledge of and experience in the sport combined with his strong relationships in Europe will help this organization continue to grow in the right direction.”
Redant spent a number of years on the Omega Pharma-Lotto team as a Directeur Sportif after his own successful career as a rider. At the end of 2010 he announced he was joining the Pegasus Racing project, which eventually failed to get off the ground, leaving the Belgian scurrying to find employment this year. He had so far been unsuccessful up until now, although he had a number of smaller roles such as driving commissaires on races such as the Tour de Langkawi.
“I am excited about this opportunity and eager to get going with Team UnitedHealthcare. Mike (Tamayo) is an outstanding General Manager and Directeur Sportif and has a great vision for this team,” he said. “It is an honour to be part of this group now and I cannot wait to work with the staff, riders and sponsors.
“One of the things that attracted me to Team UnitedHealthcare is that everybody on this team believes in one another and fights hard for one another. That's something I want to be a part of and contribute to. These guys have shown all year long they stay together as a group and are focused on achieving one goal together. In my conversations with Mike and several members of the organization, that mindset and attitude are part of an overall philosophy and focus that rings true throughout this organization."
The American team made its intention of growth clear this year, when they bolstered their roster by signing Charles Wegelius, Robert Förster and Christian Meier from ProTeams. It has so far been successful in winning races in Europe, America and Asia this season. It was rumoured to be in merger talks with HTC Highroad, although the latter ultimately announced it would fold at the end of the season.