Redant joins UnitedHealthcare as European director
Redant, who left the Omega Pharma-Lotto team late in 2010 to join the failed Pegasus Racing project, will join UHC as European team director beginning with the USA Pro Cycling Challenge next week.
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Hendrik Redant will wait no longer to rejoin the pro peloton as UnitedHealthcare announced the hiring of the veteran sports director Wednesday. Redant, who left the Omega Pharma-Lotto team late in 2010 to join the failed Pegasus Racing project, will join UHC as European team director beginning with the USA Pro Cycling Challenge next week.
“We are pleased to have Hendrik join the team,” said general manager Mike Tamayo. “We are confident he is going to be a great asset and addition to our solid group of staff, riders and management team. His knowledge of and experience in the sport combined with his strong relationships in Europe will help this organization continue to grow in the right direction.”
Redant ended a decade-long pro career with TVM-Farm Frites in 1997 and went on to direct the Lotto program until late last year. Recent Tour de France champion Cadel Evans twice finished second at the Tour under Redant’s guidance. Redant was set to join Australian-based Pegasus Racing in 2011, but that team folded in December when the UCI rejected the team’s license application.
“One of the things that attracted me to Team UnitedHealthcare is that everybody on this team believes in one another and fights hard for one another,” said Redant. “That’s something I want to be a part of and contribute to. These guys have shown all year long they stay together as a group and are focused on achieving one goal together. In my conversations with Mike and several members of the organization, that mindset and attitude are part of an overall philosophy and focus that rings true throughout this organization.”
Despite his Pegasus setback, Redant remained active in European racing, spending the early part of 2011 on numerous assignments, including driving VIP cars at the Giro d’Italia. It was at that race that Redant was charged with escorting the family of fallen rider Wouter Weylandt through their trip to Italy following his tragic death.
Redant looked forward to getting back in the winner’s circle with the U.S.-based Pro Continental squad.
“When it comes to racing, UnitedHealthcare has done a great job winning a lot of races and getting on the podium,” said Redant. “They truly race as one unit. There are a lot of races in Europe where this Team can excel, show results, further develop its talent, and produce top riders in the sport overall. I see a tremendous future with this Team and I’m looking forward to making it in Europe what it is in America.