Published August 9, 2011 08:31AM
Three-time Italian champion Giovanni Visconti and German sprint phenomenon John Degenkolb will have new teams for the coming season.
Movistar officials confirmed Tuesday that Visconti has signed a two-year deal to join Spanish-based team while Degenkolb is heading to the Dutch outfit Skil-Shimano.
Visconti, 28, told La Gazzetta dell Sport that he chose Movistar in part to assure his race schedule moving forward. With three seasons at ISD and Farnese Vini, Visconti said it was often difficult to plan his season because the team’s presence in major races was not always assured.
Visconti, who’s won the Italian national title in 2007, 2010 and 2011, said he will focus on the spring classics and shorter stage races.
Degenkolb, meanwhile, is the latest rider from HTC-Highroad to assure his future in the wake of the team’s announcement that it is folding at the end of this season.
The 22 year old will ride next season with Skil-Shimano, the French sports daily L’Equipe reported.
Degenkolb has had an impressive rookie season, winning six races, with a stage at the Volta ao Algarve, Driedaagse van Vest-Vlaanderen, Bayern-Rundfhart and two stages at the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Degenkolb will join current HTC-Highroad teammate Patrick Gretsch, who’s also signed with the Dutch team.