Saxo Bank-SunGard have secured the Team a solid and interesting mix of new and experienced sports directors. Dan (Frost) and Brad (McGee) will pass on our philosophy and approach to the new members of the staff while Tristan (Hoffmann) is back in our line-up. He has been gaining experience and has matured as a sports director. With his thorough experience, he will be our strategist during the spring classics and I'm looking forward to welcoming him back to the Team," team owner Bjarne Riis said in a statement.
Dutchman Tristan Hoffman is a former Riis Cycling rider and sports director and after a period of time with Team HTC-Columbia, he is back in the seat with Saxo Bank-SunGard. In his active career as a pro cyclist he was a cobblestone specialist and three times finished among the four best in the Paris-Roubaix classic. In 2004, he finished second behind Swede Magnus Bäckstedt and ahead of Roger Hammond and Fabian Cancellara.
"I have had some good years as sports director at T-Mobile and HTC-Columbia where I gained four years of solid experience. However, it was always my dream to come back to Riis Cycling and now I received the offer from Bjarne (Riis). Primarily, my expertise is related to the French-Belgian one-day races. Now, I'm looking forward to meeting old and new friends," Tristan Hoffman said.
Another familiar name on the Team is the new Italian sports director, Fabrizio Guidi who was riding for Riis Cycling in 2004 and 2005. Fabrizio Guidi ended his active career in 2007 and achieved no less than 40 pro wins primarily because of his powerful sprinter abilities. On the top of the list are three Tour of Spain stage victories, two Giro d'Italia stage victories and three times he won the Intergiro competition in the grand Tour of his home country.
"I'm honored and proud to become a part of one of the best cycling teams in the world where I get to develop and shape some of the biggest talents. To have this kind of influence is thrilling and I'll do my very best to contribute to the achievement of our goals," the Italian sports director said.
One of the two sports directors continuing is Dan Frost who has been with the Team since 2006. The skillful Dane is a former World and Olympic point race medalist on the track and has conquered numerous Danish championships.
"The coming season will be so exciting. With so many new faces on the team, Brad (McGee) and I must make sure that everyone is integrated into the spirit and philosophy that has always existed on this team. In the time to come, we will be handing out the responsibilities and I'm really looking forward to meeting all the members of the team, both riders and staff," sports director Dan Frost commented.
Also Australian Bradley McGee remains with the team in the 2011 season. The powerful former professional has been wearing the leader's jersey in all three grand Tours mostly because of his capacity as time trialist. His raging pace also provided him several Olympic and World championship medals and records.
Philippe Mauduit is one of the new sport directors on the team. After finishing his own professional active career in 1999, he has gained experience from places like China and Japan before returning to Europe and Bbox Bouygues Telecom in 2004. Now, he leaves Cervelo TestTeam to join Team Saxo Bank-SunGard.
"Every year since I started my career as sports director, I've set new goals for myself to secure my own development and in this job, aspects like coaching, fitness, diet, strategy and tactics play a huge role. At the future Saxo Bank-SunGard team, I'll get the chance to shape the riders while at the same time working with people who can teach me as well," Frenchman Philippe Mauduit said.
Last but not least, Saxo Bank-SunGard will introduce a new acquaintance by welcoming Aussie, Nicolas Gates on the team. As a former professional cyclist at Silence-Lotto, he has gained experience in all three major tours and has been participating in the world championships several times. Now, he's facing a new challenge by becoming Saxo Bank-SunGard sports director.
"I'm very excited about working with Bjarne Riis and of course the rest of the Saxo Bank-SunGard staff in 2011. After a briefing with team management I didn't hesitate joining the team which has a unique culture and values I certainly approve. I'm honored to be getting this opportunity with one of the best teams in the world," Nicolas Gates commented.
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