November 21 – Cannondale Pro Cycling announces team of 27 for 2014, promising to make for an incredible year of racing coming off of the team’s successful inaugural season. The roster showcases Cannondale Pro Cyclings commitment to the development a stable of young, talented international riders.
Recent signings include experienced Italian riders Marco Marcato and Oscar Gatto who will bolster the team throughout the Classics season and in the Grand Tours. A skilled, all-round rider, 29-year-old Marcato raced for the World Tour team Vacansoleil-DCM in 2012. He will add depth to the team during the Classics and his experience as a domestique will allow him to work with and support team star Peter Sagan. The 28-year-old-Gatto was captain of his previous team and has nine professional wins, including a stage of the Giro d’Italia in 2011. Gatto will support Sagan during the Classics and take the lead in additional races. Also joining the team is New Zealander George Bennett. The 23-year-old climber took the silver medal in the New Zealand road championship in 2013 and joins Cannondale Pro Cycling from World Tour team RadioShack Leopard Trek.
Cannondale Pro Cycling has also signed four promising young guns: former junior World champion and current U23 World Champion Matej Mohoric (Slovenia), and three very talented Italians – Davide Villella, who raced for the team at the US Pro Challenge in Colorado, Alberto Bettiol and Davide Formolo.
Though it’ll be difficult to top the 2013 season of 35 stage victories and a Green Jersey win at the Tour de France, Cannondale Pro Cycling is looking forward to a successful second year.
The full roster includes:
Peter Sagan (Slovakia), Ivan Basso (Italy), Moreno Moser (Italy), Elia Viviani (Italy), Damiano Caruso (Italy), Ted King (USA), Maciej Bodnar (Poland), Guillaume Boivin (Canada), Alessandro De Marchi (Italy), Michel Koch (Germany), Kristijan Koren (Slovenia), Matthias Krizek (Austria), Paolo Longo Borghini (Italy), Alan Marangoni (Italy), Daniele Ratto (Italy), Fabio Sabatini (Italy), Juraj Sagan (Slovakia), Cristiano Salerno (Italy), Josè Cayetano Sarmiento (Colombia), Cameron Wurf (Australia), Marco Marcato (Italy), Oscar Gatto (Italy), George Bennett (New Zealand), Matej Mohoric (Slovenia), Davide Villella (Italy), Alberto Bettiol (Italy), and Davide Formolo (ItalY)