DFL IS DEAD, LONG LIVE PEDALTECH
The new Pedaltech-Cyclingnews-Jako team that is set to replace DFL in 2008 will have six British riders in its line-up and target the major British races as well as Belgian classics and stage races.
Daniel Lloyd (pictured), Dan Fleeman, Hamish Haynes and previously French-based Robert Orr have already signed contracts, while two other well-known British riders have agreed terms but not yet signed a contract.
The team will have a total of 16 riders with four other riders remaining from the 2007 DFL line-up. New signings include 2004 Tour of Flanders winner Steffen Wesemann and Bas Giling from Wiesenhof, and Sweden?s Jonas Ljungblad from Unibet.com. Rudi Dubois will continue as team manager with Eric Vanderaerden as directeur sportif. Former rider Nico Mattan will also be involved in the team, as will bike supplier Johan Museeuw.
Cyclingweekly.co.uk understand that DFL and Nick Collins will no longer be involved in the team after Collins failed to find a new sponsor to replace DFL.
On Monday the UCI refused to issue the team with a Professional Continental licence for 2008 but Mike Matts, the owner of internet bike shop Pedaltech, told cyclingweekly.co.uk he is confident the team will be given the green light for 2008 after they supply further paperwork. Matts is new to professional sponsorship but seems determined that the team has a strong impact on British racing in 2008 as well as racing at the highest level in Belgium.
?We?re serious, there?s a long team deal in place and we hope the team can grow in the next few years,? Matts said.
?We?ll have a British base and I?ll be looking after the team when they race in Britain. We want to do well in the big British races and we even hope to get Stefan Wesemann over to ride the East Midlands Cicle Classic in April.?
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?I was looking at doing a team for several years. I talked to some riders and people in Britain and they put me in contact with several teams. After talks I decided to team up with the Belgians and create what is a brand new team that includes people from the DFL set-up. Pedaltech is the main sponsor but my business has developed to include sports goods distribution, coaching and physio.?
?It?s a good and bad time for cycling but I think it?s the right time to get involved because of the success of the Tour de France in Britain and because of the 2012 Olympics. I?m convinced the sport can grow and grow in Britain.?
There will be more news on the new Pedaltech team here at cyclingweekly.co.uk as further details are announced.
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