The Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project Press Release Roster Announcement Zaugg, Posthuma 23.11.2010

The signing of Zaugg and Posthuma signals the super team being quietly formed in Luxembourg

The Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project is happy to announce the signing of two additional young yet fully accomplished cyclists to the team. Swiss climber Oliver Zaugg and Dutch time trialing specialist Joost Posthuma have added their names to the list of top quality riders who have joined the team in recent weeks.

Though both of the new additions have managed to find a good amount of success for themselves in recent years, each feels that the qualities of the team from Luxembourg will provide them with the perfect structure in which to grow. “I definitely see this as a prime opportunity to play a large role in helping my team succeed in races like the ,” Zaugg enthused. “To participate in our team’s biggest goals is certainly my top priority for this coming season!” v Recognizing the need to build a core group of climbers around the aspirations of the new team, the management is happy to have enticed Oliver Zaugg to join the squad. “Oliver is someone who is always reliable in the mountains,” Nygaard explained. “He can definitely be counted on to be there to protect the leaders on the last climbs of the Grand Tours.” Since Zaugg has had success when given the chance to ride for himself, he will be a double asset for the team. “He is very much a luxury helper for the leaders,” Nygaard said. “He has already proved himself to be strong in the stage races, and he hasn’t even hit his limit; he’s a rider with a lot of promise.” Zaugg recognizes what an opportunity it will be for him to ride for the team in the biggest stage races. “To know that I will have the chance to use my particular strengths to support the Schlecks and the other general classification riders achieve their biggest goals in cycling was a huge part of my decision to join this team,” Zaugg revealed. “I want to help the team reach its goals, and I want to work well with everyone in this new project and really enjoy our times together.”

Dutchman Joost Posthuma has also proved himself to be a strong all-rounder with a particular talent for time trialing. “Joost is someone who we definitely see as being able to take the next step to winning big time trials and shorter stage races throughout the year,” Nygaard confirmed. “He has been knocking on the door for quite a while now, and we hope that with the added motivation of coming to a team like ours, he’ll be able to add more success to his already impressive CV. I think he could be one of the big surprises of next year.” Posthuma admits to feeling excitement for how the team is positioning itself. “From the first moment I heard about it, I wanted to be a part of this project where new riders and new staff are working together towards one big goal: to be the best new team in cycling!” Posthuma said. “Personally, I want to have success in the Spring Classics and aim for shorter stage races which include time trials. The whole team’s biggest goal is to take part in the Tour de France with a serious candidate for a podium or the overall, and I want to support that with everything I have to offer.”

About The Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project is run by the company Leorpard S.A. based in Howald, Luxembourg. General Manager Brian Nygaard and Team Manager Kim Andersen are setting up a new UCI ProTour team with 25 riders to compete in the world’s biggest races. Amongst the international line-up are the two Tour de France aces: Fränk and Andy Schleck. Other riders who have also been signed are Daniele Bennati, Will Clarke, Stefan Denifl, Brice Feillu, , Linus Gerdemann, Dominic Klemme, Anders Lund, Maxime Monfort, Martin Mortensen, , Stuart O’Grady, Bruno Pires, Tom Stamsneijder, Davide Viganò, Jens Voigt, Fabian Wegmann and . The new team will be racing on Trek bikes and Mercedes-Benz Luxembourg is providing the full fleet of vehicles ranging from buses and trucks to race cars and VIP vehicles.