The full list of riders and the identity of the main sponsors of Pegasus Racing are due to be released in the first half of next week, but more names have emerged as being linked to the would-be ProTour team.
According to Biciciclismo and Wielerland.nl, four more have been added to the roster: the South African sprinters Robert Hunter (Garmin-Transitions) and Daryl Impey (RadioShack), Britain’s Jeremy Hunt (Cervélo Test Team) and the Dutch Vacansoleil rider Bobbie Traksel.
Already confirmed for the team are the Katusha riders Robbie McEwen and Serguei Klimov, Svein Tuft and Trent Lowe (Garmin-Transitions), Christian Knees and Luke Roberts (Milram) plus Clinton Avery (RadioShack stagiaire).
The team has confirmed that it is also interested in world time trial champion Fabian Cancellara, who is set to leave Team Saxo Bank. He is has several other offers, though, with BMC Racing Team, Team Sky, Team Katusha and the new Luxembourg squad rumoured to be amongst them, and has said that he won’t make his mind up until after the world road race championships.
The team would follow on from the current Fly V Australia team. It was previously thought that the ProTour squad would see that team expand with a new sponsor on board, but Pegasus Racing’s chief Chris White recently told the Sydney Morning Herald that he plans four teams: the US-based Fly V Australia, Australian-based under 23 and women’s squads backed by Virgin Blue-RBS Morgan, plus the top-level team that is vying for a ProTour licence.
The chief sponsor is not yet known for the $14 million project but that, plus the full lineup, will be known in the next four to five days. There are unconfirmed suggestions that Gillette might be involved at some level.
Whether or not the team succeeds in getting a ProTour licence for year one, it is set to be a massive boost to Australian cycling. White has said that he is in for the long term, and wants to compete in the Tour de France sooner rather than later.
UCI President Pat McQuaid has said that having a top-level team from the country would be advantageous to the UCI’s aim of globalisation; providing the budget, riders and ethical provisions are in place, this should enhance the chances of the team getting the nod when the ProTour licences are being handed out.