Omega-Pharma Lotto will send an experienced European contingent to January’s Santos Tour Down Under in Adelaide.
“Mickael Delage will be leading his team at this year’s race in South Australia,†says Mike Turtur, Santos Tour Down Under Race Director.
Delage made his Giro D’Italia debut in 2006 and won the first stage of the Tour de l’Avenir the same year. In 2009, Delage finished third overall in the San Sebastian Classic.
After finishing 16th at the 2009 Santos Tour Down Under, Matthew Lloyd will be back working hard for the Omega-Pharma Lotto team.
“Matthew is one of the great young talents of cycling in this country and was our National Road Race Champion in 2008,†says Mike Turtur.
“He has performed consistently at the Santos Tour Down Under and I’d expect nothing less in 2010.â€Â
Lloyd’s career is filled with highlights, including winning overall honours at the Tour of Wellington in 2005, in just his second year as a professional cyclist.
The seven-man Omega-Pharma Lotto team alson includes Belgium’s Olivier Kaisen and Sweden’s Jonas Ljungblad.
“Ljungblad is no stranger to cycling in Australia. Early in his career he won the 2004 Herald Sun Tour. He’ll be returning to Australia knowing what to expect from the racing conditions,†says Mike Turtur.
“Team Manager Hendrik Redant is a good friend of the Santos Tour Down Under and has been to our race many times. He understands the intensity and the quality of the competition and there’s no doubt his team will come prepared for a week of solid racing,†says Mike Turtur.
Omega-Pharma Lotto’s team for the 2010 Santos Tour Down Under will be led by Team Manager, Hendrik Redant (BEL) and includes Mickael Delage (FRA), Olivier Kaisen (BEL), Jonas Ljungblad (SWE),
Matthew Lloyd (AUS), Gerben Lowik (NED), Jurgen Roelandts (BEL), and Jurgen Van Goolen (BEL).