Based in Italy, the Torpado team was born 10 years ago, with the intention of growing the identity of the brand, and leaving a mark in the most important marathon competitions in the world. Over the last 3 years, the team, with a renewed image and roster, has begun to focus on important world-class athletes and young talents, ready to challenge the more experienced riders.
In 2024, the team, led by Sandro Lazzarin, was further renewed with KENDA embracing the project and further strengthening the team. Focusing on long-term contracts, the team has confirmed some of the fastest growing young people in the discipline.
Athletes
The spearhead of the Torpado Kenda Factory is Diego Rosa, a former road racer and winner of races such as Milano-Torino. Diego immediately won the tricolor jersey on his return to mountain biking. Diego is a man who knows how to manage the group and stress, and he will inhabit an important role in the group.
Swiss rider Casey South is the winner of the Black Forest 2023, a protagonist at the European marathon championship, as well as at the Hero and bronze at the Snowshoe World Cup. Casey is a strong climber and eager to grow.
Jakob Dorigoni, born in '98 in South Tyrol, is fast and explosive. In 2023, he won the La Dario Acquaroli, a very important classic on the Italian calendar. Andrea Candeago is the youngest of the group, ready to grow in a motivating environment. The new entries for 2024 are two experienced national champions with infinite talents. Peeter Pruus returns to the Italian roster with his Estonian national champion jersey; a powerful and explosive athlete, who has already won a European champion jersey in the discipline.
THE TEAM TIRE
The Rush SCT, an efficient climber and fast descender, is the team's number one choice for the most demanding marathon races. In addition, riders may choose the Booster or Karma 2 for worse conditions on the race track.
Races
The team will follow an international calendar including important events such as the Andalusia Bike Race, Cape Epic, the World Cup with European and non-European events, the Hero Dolomites, the World Championships in the United States and National Championships.
Cape Epic
Casey South, Diego Rosa are currently in South Africa racing Cape Epic, the toughest stage race in the mountain bike world, with Jakob Dorigoni as back-up. During the 8 overall stages (seven plus the initial prologue), the athletes will face high mileages and mixed stages in a context of unique, beautiful landscape, crossing national parks, vineyards and desert areas.
Team manager, Sandro Lazzarin says: "The Cape Epic represents a great success even for a team manager. I believe that being at the Cape, where all the most important teams in the world are present, is a highly coveted goal. It is not for nothing that it is considered the Tour de France of mountain biking. It's a grueling race and the management and organization are also very important. For us, this event is focal and we believe it's important even with the brands that support us that can be there in the fray together with all the most important in the world”.
Casey South's comment: “The first Cape Epic means a lot to me, it's a dream come true. I want to thank the team for making all this possible and for the organization behind it. I'm ready for the challenge."
