Austrian keen on the Giro d’Italia and Olympic road race
After some uncertainty about his destination for next season, it has been announced that Thomas Rohregger will ride for RadioShack-Nissan in 2012. When the merger between RadioShack and his current team, Leopard Trek was announced, the Austrian’s future seemed uncertain.
However, this week he confirmed his new contract on his Facebook page. “I’m very happy and proud to be part of the RadioShack-Nissan-Trek Team,” he wrote. “What a great team and collection of riders!! Can’t wait to get the new season started. Looking forward to battle with you guys on the roads!”
Rohregger was a late signing to Leopard Trek after he was meant to ride with the ill-fated Pegasus team. He competed in the Vuelta a España this season where the team won the opening team time trial.
“The team has shown me much confidence. Even during the Vuelta, I knew that I could stay,” he told APA.
He also started the Giro d’Italia this year but pulled out with the team ahead of stage five after team-mate Wouter Weylandt died in the race. The Italian national tour will once again be on his radar next season, along with the Olympic Games in London.
“The Giro is my first big goal. It is a race that suits me. I would absolutely also like to start the Olympics. It is a difficult route which often are undervalued,” he said.
Rohregger was part of the new team’s first get together in Belgium last month and will join the team when it starts its training camp in Calpe in early December. The Austrian has previously ridden for Milram (2009-2010) and Elk Haus. His biggest victory to date is winning the overall classification at the 2008 Tour of Austria.