Østenkjær will work with riders and management to improve performances
Riders and staff with the Saxo Bank Sungard team will have a boost next season thanks to a new agreement signed between the squad and Erik Østenkjær from Sports Psychology Institute.
Østenkjær has been working for over 30 years in a range of sports, helping elite athletes in 23 sports and 11 different countries.
He has worked with leading European football, handball and hockey clubs, as well as speedway riders, boxers, tennis players, golfers, cyclists, and swimmers.
SaxoBank Sungard CEO Trey Greenwood said that Østenkjær has already been doing some work with the organisational end of the team, and that this would now expand.
“Erik has helped us over the last couple of years with the development of our organizational structure as well as with specific management challenges,” he stated. “He has been a great resource for Bjarne and myself as well as our sports directors. Our entire organization will benefit from this engagement.”
One of his tasks may be to make sure the atmosphere on the team is as healthy as possible. A large number of riders are leaving this year, and it will be important to restore balance to the team. The current Alberto Contador case is another test for the squad, especially as it creates a degree of uncertainty about what will happen in 2011. The Spaniard does not yet know if he will be racing or if he will serve a suspension after testing positive for Clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour de France.