Italian support rider moving across from Quick Step
Powerful domestique Matteo Tosatto is the latest addition to the Saxo Bank-SunGard team for 2011, moving across to the Danish team on a one year deal after five seasons with the Quick Step team.
The 36 year old Italian won a stage in the Giro d’Italia in 2001 and took stage 18 of the Tour de France in 2006, but since then has spent the bulk of his time and energy riding in support of others. He will fill the same role in Saxo Bank-SunGard, backing the designated leaders in races.
“As so many others in the world of cycling, I have been fascinated by the way Bjarne [Riis] runs his team and I’m really proud about becoming a member of the well-respected organization,” he said, looking forward to what will be a fresh start after half a decade in the Quick Step kit. “Coming to this well-organized team gives me new motivation and I can’t wait to meet my new team mates and the staff around us.”
Tosatto is hailed by his new team as ‘one of the best supporting cyclists in the peloton.’ Saxo Bank-SunGard owner Bjarne Riis believes he is going to be a valuable addition.
“With Matteo we will have a remarkably solid and loyal cyclist who will glide in to the role as capitaine de route in a natural way,” he said. “Throughout his long career, he has been much appreciated and respected at both former teams and the Italian national team. He will fit in well and we’re all looking forward to welcoming him on board.”
He will meet up with his new team-mates at the first Saxo Bank-SunGard training camp in Fuerteventura. That begins November 28th and while he will have to wait until the end of the year to change the colour of his jersey, his time with the new team will begin there.