Saxo Bank signs Juan Jose Haedo

The Saxo Bank team has signed Sebastian Haedo, brother of sprinter Juan Jose Haedo, to a two-year contract.

According to a release issued by Saxo Bank on Thursday, Sebastian Haedo has been released from his contract with the U.S. Colavita-Sutter Home team where he this season took two victories on the second stage of Tour de San Luis and on the second stage of Nature Valley Grand Prix. He finished second in the NRC’s individual rankings this season.

The 26-year-old Sebastian joins his 28-year-old brother J.J. who has ridden for the team since 2007, when it was sponsored by CSC.

The team also announced the departure of Alexandr Kolobnev, whose Saxo Bank ride ends on January first. The Russian has one year left on his contract but has been released from his contractual obligation and is expected to sign with the Russian Katusha team.

“Alexandr Kolobnev is a great rider and we respect him personally and as an athlete. We have been grateful for his contribution on and off the road and we wish him the best of luck in the future”, said team owner Bjarne Riis.

“I have been very happy to be a part of Team Saxo Bank and the time on the team has developed my talent to a higher level. I am grateful that Bjarne gives me the opportunity to accept an offer from a team where I will have a leading role”, says Alexandr Kolobnev.

The team also signed 22-year-old Polish rider, Jaroslaw Marycz, who spent 2009 as a member of the Italian Fidibc.com team. Marycz is a two-time Polish U23 national time trial champion and this year he won Italy’s Coppa G. Romita, the third stage of Tour de Slovaquie and earned a silver medal at the European road championships for U23-riders.

“We are pleased to announce that we have assured us these two great and interesting talents that will strengthen our team in the coming season,” said Riis. “Jaroslaw is a complete rider with a special time trial potential and Sebastian Haedo has, besides being a complete rider, shown his obvious talent in the bunch sprints. We are looking forward to be working with both of them and to help developing their promising potential.”

FILED UNDER: News / Road TAGS: Bjarne Riis / Juan Jose Haedo / Saxo Bank / Sebastian Haedo

Charles Pelkey

Charles Pelkey joined VeloNews in 1994 after serving as press secretary for former GOP Whip Alan K. Simpson in the U.S. Senate. Pelkey has worked as a journalist since 1985 and held a number of editorial positions at VeloNews including Senior Editor of VeloNews.com. Pelkey earned a JD from the University of Wyoming College of Law and lives in Laramie, Wyoming, with Diana, his wife of 25 years, and their two children, Philip and Annika, whose presence serves as a constant reminder of what really matters. Pelkey left VeloNews in July, 2011, but continues to be a regular contributor. Charles can now be found at liveupdateguy.com

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