Robbie McEwen joins new Australian ProTour team
- By Andrew Hood
- Published Sep. 9, 2010
Robbie McEwen has confirmed that he will join the new Australian team set to join the European peloton next season.
The 12-time Tour de France stage winner will ride for the Australian Pegasus Sports professional cycling team in 2011. The team’s owner has yet to announce a title sponsor for 2011; the new team is being built around the current Fly V Australia squad and is applying for a ProTour license for 2011.
In a statement Thursday morning, Pegasus Sports CEO Chris White and McEwen confirmed the signing, saying McEwen will be the team’s “headline act.”
“I’m proud to be joining Pegasus Sports in 2011,” McEwen said. “I’ve known Chris White for 20 years and know many of the current staff and riders. The team has built an impressive record in North America over the past two years, and with their move into Europe in 2011, the timing and the vibe could not be better,” said McEwen.
“I chose to make this move because I have a lot of respect for Chris White, his drive and vision, and what he is doing for Australian cycling. I know with the riders coming on board that we’ll have a very strong, competitive team. I’m really looking forward to next year — my 17th season as a professional.”
“I’m still to map out a program for my 2011 season,” said McEwen. “However at this stage, Chris and I have discussed a number of goals and you can rest assured that I will leave no stone unturned to stand on the podium with my new team.”
FILED UNDER: News / Road TAGS: Fly V Australia / Robbie McEwen
Andrew Hood
Hood cut his journalistic teeth at Colorado dailies before the web boom opened the door to European cycling in the mid-1990s. Hood's covered every Tour since 1996 and has been VeloNews' European correspondent since 2002. He lives in Leon, Spain, when he's not chasing bike races.