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Introducing the 2012 Rabobank Teams
December 7, 2011
The Rabobank organization made a big splash Tuesday as it presented the lineups for its four teams—all of which are partners with Giant—in its home nation of The Netherlands. There are some new faces on the Rabobank pro men’s team for 2012, plus an all-new pro women’s team led by multi-time World Champion Marianne Vos.
Stating that cycling is as strong as ever in The Netherlands, Rabobank general manager Harold Knebel introduced the four teams, which also include the Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team for cross-country mountain biking and cyclocross, and the Rabobank Continental team, an Under-23 team that functions as a feeder system for the pro team.
New talent on the Rabobank pro road squad includes Australian sprinter Mark Renshaw, who spent the last three seasons as the top lead-out man for World Champion Mark Cavendish. Several other new riders, including Jetse Bol and Wilco Kelderman, are stepping up from the Continental team.
Returning riders for the Rabobank pro men’s team include stage race talent Robert Gesink, who said he is recovering well from a broken femur he sustained in a training crash in September. Also back are 2011 revelation Steven Kruijswik, who finished on the podium at the Tour de Suisse and top-10 at the Giro d’Italia, and Bauke Mollema, who was fourth overall at the Vuelta a España.
The Rabobank Pro Men’s Team will start the 2012 season riding the TCR Advanced SL and Defy Advanced SL team bikes for road races, and the Trinity Advanced SL for time trials.
Next year marks the first time Rabobank has sponsored a pro women’s team. With Vos leading the way, the team will focus on World Cups, major stage races and the 2012 London Olympics. The team, a blend of experienced pros and developing young talent, will race on TCR Advanced SL and Trinity Advanced SL team bikes.
In off-road racing, Rabobank and Giant continue their partnership with the Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team, home to some of the world’s best cross-country and cyclocross riders. With a handful of national champions from different countries, plus current U23 cyclocross World Champion Lars van der Haar, it’s one of the most prominent teams in the world of off-road competition. Also returning to the team for 2012 is Dutch XC rider Hank Jaap Moorlag, the Under-23 bronze medalist at the 2011 World Championships, and U.S. Cyclocross Champion Katie Compton, the current No. 1 ranked female ’cross racer in the world.
Rabobank-Giant Off-Road riders compete on the XtC Composite 29er, XtC Advanced SL, Anthem X 29er and Anthem X Advanced SL mountain bikes for cross-country events, and the TCX Advanced SL for cyclocross.
You can follow all of the Giant-sponsored pro teams all season long here on the Giant website or the Giant Facebook page.
Stating that cycling is as strong as ever in The Netherlands, Rabobank general manager Harold Knebel introduced the four teams, which also include the Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team for cross-country mountain biking and cyclocross, and the Rabobank Continental team, an Under-23 team that functions as a feeder system for the pro team.
New talent on the Rabobank pro road squad includes Australian sprinter Mark Renshaw, who spent the last three seasons as the top lead-out man for World Champion Mark Cavendish. Several other new riders, including Jetse Bol and Wilco Kelderman, are stepping up from the Continental team.
Returning riders for the Rabobank pro men’s team include stage race talent Robert Gesink, who said he is recovering well from a broken femur he sustained in a training crash in September. Also back are 2011 revelation Steven Kruijswik, who finished on the podium at the Tour de Suisse and top-10 at the Giro d’Italia, and Bauke Mollema, who was fourth overall at the Vuelta a España.
The Rabobank Pro Men’s Team will start the 2012 season riding the TCR Advanced SL and Defy Advanced SL team bikes for road races, and the Trinity Advanced SL for time trials.
Next year marks the first time Rabobank has sponsored a pro women’s team. With Vos leading the way, the team will focus on World Cups, major stage races and the 2012 London Olympics. The team, a blend of experienced pros and developing young talent, will race on TCR Advanced SL and Trinity Advanced SL team bikes.
In off-road racing, Rabobank and Giant continue their partnership with the Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team, home to some of the world’s best cross-country and cyclocross riders. With a handful of national champions from different countries, plus current U23 cyclocross World Champion Lars van der Haar, it’s one of the most prominent teams in the world of off-road competition. Also returning to the team for 2012 is Dutch XC rider Hank Jaap Moorlag, the Under-23 bronze medalist at the 2011 World Championships, and U.S. Cyclocross Champion Katie Compton, the current No. 1 ranked female ’cross racer in the world.
Rabobank-Giant Off-Road riders compete on the XtC Composite 29er, XtC Advanced SL, Anthem X 29er and Anthem X Advanced SL mountain bikes for cross-country events, and the TCX Advanced SL for cyclocross.
You can follow all of the Giant-sponsored pro teams all season long here on the Giant website or the Giant Facebook page.
