Dutch team welcomes his signing, says it’s crucial for their ProTour aspirations
Vuelta a España runner-up Ezequiel Mosquera has said that he is looking forward to a new start with the Vacansoleil team, which he will join after spending four seasons with the Karpin Galica/Xacobeo Galica setup.
“I wanted to join a big team where everyone could have their chance,” he said in the official announcement of his signing today. “Vacansoleil impressed me with its performance in many Spanish races but especially in the Tour of Spain, 2009, so it was very easy to make the decision. I look forward to working with my new team and, above all, want to share my experience with the younger riders. I’ve seen that there is much talent in Vacansoleil.
“It is true that the Spanish races are very important for me, but I want to see what might be my limit in other European races.”
As reported on VeloNation last week, the Spaniard opted for the Dutch team after discussions with the Vacansoleil management. Current team rider Johnny Hoogerland had said that a major name was coming to the team, and that his signing would make it impossible for the squad to be ignored by the major race organisers in 2011.
Vacansoleil took part in the 2009 Vuelta, where Hoogerland was 12th and Borut Bozic won a stage, but was not invited to it or either of the other two Grand Tours this year.
Signing Mosquera is the team’s way of ensuring that it will get the nod in 2011, and also that it will have a better chance of moving up a level in terms of its licence.
“We are battling to enter the ProTour and Mosquera is an exceptional cyclist, a rider who can finish in the top 10 of a Grand Tour with results that improve year after year,” said team manager Daan Luijkx. “We have seen that Mosquera is still growing as a rider and his ambition is to see how he has improved his performance in time trials.
“Apart from the results that he can offer us, I think he will have an important role as team leader in the Spanish races. Next year we will have many young cyclists in Holland and Belgium who specialize in stage races. Having a rider on the team that knows these races and is capable of sharing experience is very important for our project.”
The 34 year old was Vincenzo Nibali’s closest rival in this year’s Vuelta, netting the crucial Bola del Mundo stage and ending the three week event just 41 seconds off the red jersey of the race winner.
He was also second in the Vuelta a Burgos, third in the Vuelta a Castilla y León and fourth in the Vuelta a Asturias.
Netting the runner-up slot in the Vuelta followed on from a strong history in the event. He was fifth, fourth, and fifth again between 2007 and 2009, but stepped up another level this year. He will hope to win the race next year, as well as ride some big events outside Spain. If Vacansoleil secures a ProTour licence, the team could also be selected for the Giro d’Italia or the Tour de France.
Vacansoleil will have a number of other strong riders in 2011, including Stijn Devolder, Borut Bozic, Romain Feillu and Johnny Hoogerland. Riccardo Riccò is also with the team, although whether his name is a boost or a liability remains to be determined.