Duo transfer from the Cervélo Test Team
The promising young Italian Davide Appollonio and the experienced British veteran Jeremy Hunt have been confirmed by Team Sky as signing for the squad. Both are moving across from the Cervélo Test Team, which will officially stop at the end of the season.
Former GP Ouest France winner Hunt has clocked up 14 victories as a professional rider, and is a strong one day rider and leadout man. Now 37, he turned pro with the Banesto team of five time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain, and has ridden for a number of squads including Crédit Agricole.
Team Principal Dave Brailsford knows he is getting a rider with equal parts knowledge and speed. “Jeremy brings a wealth of experience with him which the younger riders will be able to benefit greatly from,” he said. “His achievements speak for themselves and he is a well-respected rider within the peloton.”
Neo pro Appollonio is also travelling across and is one of the most promising of the young signings for the team. He made his pro debut this year and clocked up second places in the GP de Fourmies and the Tour de Vendée, but it was his first professional victory which stood out. The 21 year old jumped away with two kilometres left of the final stage of the Tour du Limousin, showing great strength to hold off the chasing bunch to the line.
Performances like that underline his ability. “Davide is a great talent and has already shown fantastic promise over the past two years with several race wins,” said Brailsford.
“Our two latest signings perfectly represent the mix of youth and experience which we are bringing to the team.”
They join a further three signings in recent months, including the talented young Briton Alex Dowsett. He won the European time trial championship and finished second against the clock in the Tour de l’Avenir, the Tour of Utah and the Commonwealth Games. The other two are the strong Columbian rider Rigoberto Urán and the experienced Spanish pro Xabier Zandio.
Team Sky made its debut this season and expects to step it up a level in 2011.