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Cervelo TestTeam signs riders, director
Riders Elodie Touffet and Claudia Häusler, along with sports director Patrick Banfi, have signed with Cervelo TestTeam, the squad has announced.
Touffet has been a member of Gauss RDZ Ormu (2008), Menikini-Selle Italia-Gysko (2007), Nobili-Rubinetterie-Menikini-Cogeas (2006) and Pruneaux d”agen (2005), with French National Championship rankings of third in 2006 and fourth in 2007.
Germany’s Häusler had a very successful year in 2008, with a stage win and an overall podium spot in the women’s Giro d’Italia, as well as overall wins in the under-24 categories of both the Giro and the Tour de l’Aude while racing for Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung. Only 23 years old, she already has a national road championship (2006) and a national climbing championship (2007) to her name.
“Claudia Häusler is a young cyclist with a long and promising career ahead of her,” said Thomas Campana, managing director of Cervélo TestTeam. “We look forward to working with her as she develops into a very successful professional cyclist.”
Cervelo TestTeam has also signed Banfi as a sports director for the women’s team, joining current sports director Manel Lacambra.
The Swiss comes to the squad after two years of working as a sports director for Specialized Designs for Women. He is a licensed sports director and also the owner of Pb Sport Consulting.
“I see great potential for this team,” said Banfi, who added that he was happy to be able to continue working with Emma Pooley. “To create something new together with these young riders and the veterans alongside them is very interesting for me, and I think it will also be a lot of fun.”
Campana said he was confident that the two directors “will fit well together and complement each other. We have a top team and we are looking forward to the upcoming season.”
