The team was created back in 2011, where the famous football team F.C Internazionale together with tyre company Pirelli provided the funds for Rycadinho to create a good team for the continental tour. After a decent first season, ending as 20 in the standings, lead by profiles as Jos� Serpa, Alberto Loddo and Ryder Hesjedal did Inter decide to pull out their sponsorship for the next season. Car company Alfa Romeo, owned by Fiat, decided to fill the gap and suddenly was the team sponsored only by Italian companies. This won't affect Rycadinhos friendly minded view on foreigner riders, though a strong Italian base is a must. The Italian sponsors left in 2012 but the powerfull dutch company ING has taken up the mantle and will provide Rycadinho enough money plus freedom to take the team further up than the 12th place in season 2012. The team has therefore taken ING's own motto: Run for something better...
Nicolas Roche:
- Our undisputed leader in the classics, and even though our team might lack a little in strength here then Roche should be able to do better than last year. Emilia’ was a highlight last season, but we expect him to do even better.
David Zabriskie:
- America’s best timetrialer was bought for 1 million euros and we expect him to give current world champion in timetrialing Michael Rogers one hell of a battle in the upcoming season. He is like Marchante past his best, but will still be a force to reckon with, especially in his awesome captain America suit
The Sprinters:
Assan Bazajev:
- Our national champion had a decent first season with us, culminating by winning his national road race championship. We expect Assan to pick up a couple of wins and hopefully show his country’s colours in the best possible way.
Ismäel Kip:
- The Dutch sprinter is extremely fast in the final 500 meters but Kip lacks a little in stamina. Therefore will it be extremely important for our riders to â€nurse†him all the way to the finish line, where Kip will hopefully show why we have so high hopes for him.
The Lieutenants:
Carlos Castaño:
- Last years â€rider of the year†in the Pirelli days will be leading us in all the races that Marchante won’t participate in. Carlos is still strong and will surely optain quite a bit of points despite being past his best.
Dennis Van Winden:
- His role is the same as Castaños is compared to Marchantes. Zabriskie will be our undisputed captain in stage races that involves timetrialing, but Winden will get his own chance especially if Zabriskie falters.
Wim Van Huffel:
- I still don’t understand how we got a rider with Wim’s abilities for such a small price, but while he won’t support Jurgen this year then he’ll still be an extremely important helper for Marchante and Castaño. Van Huffel is really a perfect domenisque.
Jonathon Thire:
- Arriving from Puma-SAP and will continue to take the role as a part of a leadout train. Thire will be very important for Assan and Kip, and we hope he'll carry the experience from Puma over to us.
The Domestiques:
Fredy Montaña and Andres Saldarriaga:
- These two guys did a splendid job last year while supporting either Jurgen, Carlos og Nicolas. I expect them to do just as well, if not even better this year.
Massimo Ianetti, DÃaz Corrales and Edwarld King:
- Roche will need all the help he can get in the classics and these riders will provide him that. Ianetti had a surprisingly strong 2012 and we hope he’ll carry that momentum with him.
Hubert Dupont, Egoitz Murgoitio, Fabio Aru and Nicola D’Andrea:
- Aru is back with us after a great year for Venchi, and we can’t wait to follow his progress for us. Dupont is still a good climber, and the same can be said about Murgoitio and D’Andrea, all riders who will play a big part in how succesfull Castaño and Marchante will be.
Simone Masciarelli, Daniele Di Nucci and Ben King:
- These riders primary task is to give our to lead sprinters some good support, and Di Nucci will probably be used as a leadout man for much of the year.Edited by rycadinho on 16-12-2012 13:44
1. David Zabriskie - Tour de San Luis 1. David Zabriskie - Tour of the Czech Republic 1. David Zabriskie - Post Danmark Rundt 1. David Zabriskie - Isle of Man 1. Carlos Castaño - Le Tour de Langkawi 3. Dennis Van Winden - Olympias Tour 3. Nicolas Roche - Tour of South Africa 5. David Zabriskie - Tour of Socchi 11. Fabian Aru - Vuelta a Tachira 10. Juan Angel Gomez Marchante - Vuelta a Catalunya
Stage wins
Ismáel Kip - Stage 4 - Vuelta a Tachira David Zabriskie - Stage 4 - Tour of San Luis David Zabriskie - Stage 5 - Volta a Algarve Nicolas Roche - Stage 5 - Tour of South Africa Carlos Castaño - Stage 6 - Le Tour de Langkawi ING - CP - Stage 1 - Vuelta a Catalunya Carlos Castaño - Stage 3 - Tour of Japan
Classics Memonarable Results
2. Nicolas Roche - Giro d'Appelino 2. Zabriskie and Winden - Duo Differdanger
4. Nicolas Roche - Scandinavian Open Road Race 5. Nicolas Roche - GP Gisborne 6. Juan Angel Gomez Marchante - Kenya Mountain Classic National Championships
Other Jerseys
Assan Bazajev - Point Jersey - Tour of San Luis
Team Ranking
Vuelta a Catalunya
2012(continental tour)
Spoiler
As Pirelli - Alfa Romeo
GC Memorable Results
1. Ivan Santaromita - Deutschland Tour 2. Matthew Busche - Giro del Capo 2. Jurgen Van Den Broeck - Giro del Trentino 3. Carlos Castaño - Vuelta al Tachira 3. Carlos Castaño - Tour of Langkawi 3. Carlos Castaño - Volta a Portugal 4. Jurgen Van Den Broeck - Tour de San Luis 4. Jurgen Van Den Broeck - Corsica International 4. Jurgen Van Den Broeck - Tour of Slovenia 4. Nicolas Roche - Tour of Luxemburg 6. Nicholas Roche - Giro del Capo 7. Massimo Ianetti - Giro del Capo 7. Nicholas Roche - Tour de Beauce 8. Nicolas Roche - Vuelta a Mallorca 8. Nick Kinney - Tour of Taiwan 9. Jurgen Van Den Broeck - Vuelta a Burgos
Stagewins
Nicolas Roche - 4. stage - Vuelta a Mallorca Assan Bazajev - 4. stage - Tour of Taiwan Carlos Castaño - 4. stage - Vuelta Castilla y Leon Hubert Dupont - 5. stage - Vuelta a Guatemala Nick Kinney - 10. stage - Vuelta a Guatemala Assan Bazajev - 4. stage - Tour of Slovenia Daniele Di Nucci - 8. stage - Tour of Colorado Massimo Ianetti - 2. stage - Tour of Swaziland Jurgen van den Broeck - 1. stage - Brixia Tour Jurgen van den Broeck - 5. stage - Brixia Tour
Classics Memorable Results
1. Nicolas Roche - Giro dell'Emilia 1. Massimo Ianetti - Milano - Torino 2. Nicolas Roche - GP Lugano 2. Carlos Castaño - Subida al Naranco 3. Matthew Busche - Trofeo Melinda 4. Nicolas Roche - Giro dell'Appellenio 4. Nicolas Roche - Trofeo Melinda 6. Nicolas Roche - Japan Cup 6. Jurgen Van Den Broeck - Urkiola Igoera 7. Nicola D'Andrea - Tour of the Battenkill 8. Nicolas Roche - Strade Bianchi
National Championships
Assan Bazajev - RoadRace
Other Jerseys
Assan Bazajev - Point GC - Tour of Taiwan Carlos Castaño - Point GC - Vuelta a Castilla y Leon Nicolas Roche - Point GC - Giro del Capo
Team Ranking
12. Pirelli-Internazionale Cycling Team - 3266 points
2011(continental tour)
Spoiler
As Pirelli - Internazionale Cycling Team
GC Memorable Results
2. Jose Serpa - Volta a Portugal 2. José Serpa - Tour de Langkawi 2. José Serpa - Giro del Trentino 2. Alberto Loddo - Tour de Faso 3. José Serpa - Tour de San Luis 3. José Serpa - Osterreich Rundfahrt 3. Ryder Hesjedal - Volta a Colombia 4. José Serpa - Corsica International 4. Luca Paolini - Olympia's Tour 6. Ryder Hesjedal - Tour of Japan 7. Isidro Nozal - Tour of America 8. Ivan Basso - Tour of America 8. Lorenzo Bernucci - Giro di Sardegna 9. Ryder Hesjedal - Euskal Bizikleta 9. Ryder Hesjedal - Jelejah Malaysia 10. Giampaolo Cheula - Giro di Sardegna
Stagewins
José Serpa - 4. stage - Tour de San Luis Alberto Loddo - 1. stage - Giro di Sardegna Alberto Loddo - 5. stage - Giro di Sardegna José Serpa - 2. stage - Giro del Trentino Luca Paolini- 6. stage - Olympia's Tour Ryder Hesjedal- 4. stage - Tour of Japan Iban Mayo - 2. stage - Vuelta a Columbia Jose Serpa - 5. stage - Volta a Portugal Alberto Loddo - 4. stage - Tour du Faso Alberto Loddo - 8. stage - Tour du Faso Alberto Loddo - 9. stage - Tour du Faso
Classics Memorable Results
2. Lorenzo Bernucci - Japan Cup
National Championships
1. José Serpa - Columbian National Champion RR 1. James Lewis-Perry - South Africa National Champion TT
Other Jerseys
José Serpa - Mountain GC - Giro del Trentino Alberto Loddo - Point GC - Tour de Faso
Team Ranking
20. Pirelli-Internazionale Cycling Team - 2226 points
It's a pleasure, that I Rycadinho can present to you all my new partner in the world of cycling.The ING Group is one of the largest cooperations by revenue, and is still going strong despite the current financial climate. They have for many years been sponsoring different sporting events, though it was their push to make Fernando Alonso a worldchampion together with former Formula One Car provider, Renault that for me left a strong impression on me. The people behind the sporting/event department in ING quickly messaged me, if there was a possibility to sponsor my cycling project in 2014. With Pirelli and Alfa Romeo out of the picture, after me and my staff couldn't provide them the much needed top 10 CT place, then it made way for ING to fill the gap they left. Here is some reasons why ING decided to give me another chance to reach the Pro Tour:
- We want even more global visibility, and cycling is a very global sport which is what we strife for. As of 2009, ING served over 85 million individual and institutional clients in more than 45 countries, with a worldwide workforce exceeding 100,000.
- With these numbers in mind, is the wish for us that Mr. Rycadinho continues his approach to hire the best riders he can get, though it wouldn't hurt us to see a couple of dutch riders in the group.
- We have therefore decided to sponsor Rycadinho and his cycling team for 2 years, with a option for another 2 years together with Nike, the American based company.
The team will therefore do it's best to strengthen itself during the upcoming transfer season, and I can already now say that most of our riders will get a renewal, as me and ING wants to keep the base from Pirelli-Alfa Romeo before we add that extra quality during the transfer market, that will hopefully see us turn into a contender for promotion: Jurgen Van Den Broeck has been an expansive investment for us, and I expect him to lead the team for another year were our target is to make Jurgen the winner we know he is. Nicolas Roche and Carlos Castaño will also be offered a contract extension, since I have high hopes in them. Barzajev, Ianetti, our two talents Puccio and Aru will definitely stay with us while our Colombian flavor will also be racing under my wings. There are others who will leave, like the wikipedia boys, but that will make room for new faces, and with Nike staying with us is it likely that a couple of Americans will be seen in the team, like Busche this year - especially taking our great relationship with Dave in mind.
The future contains many questions, but one thing is for sure.... ANFreeman and Nike has provided us with a brilliant new jersey, that represent the colours of ING perfectly. Our goal is to make it be known for one thing, success and together with my new partner will this be more than achievable! Enough talk, here it is: ING - Cycling Projects uniform for season 2013 and on wards!:
Colombian climber Jose Serpa has enjoyed a stay at the Pro Tour 5th placed Team Festina, but is currently thinking of a move back to the Continental rankings. He expressed a very warmhearted wish to rejoin his old manager, at the newsponsored ING Cycling-Project.
Team Festina manager has expressed his interest in the belgian potential GT winner Jurgen van den Broeck. He had the following comment.
"A rider such as Jurgen won't fit into the CT. He is a rider that should compete at top level in every race he attends to be as good as he can be. He won't do that in the CT. Besides that he is probably too expensive, and with too little racedays to become a real CT star. At our team he would be able to go for a Grand Tour top 5 this season, and possibly even 2 next year."
Also former Festina star Carlos Castaño are rumoured back to the team.
"Carlos has always been a great domestique for us. We know he isn't as strong as he used to be, but he would make a great helper in the mountains I reckon."
Jurgen van den Broeck is a better fit in Project 1t4i, the team manager believes. The new found Dutch are looking for an absolute GT leader and Jurgen is the rider that fits our profile the most, the team manager added. Here, at Project 1t4i, we will have our full support for any GT he would like to ride, unlike with Festina, where he would have to work around Alberto Contador and Markus Fothen.
As a new Dutch team, ING might be looking for some riders with Dutch background and, according to some rumors, there's a good chance to see Ruben Plaza and Dennis Van Winden riding for them next year.
On Festinas interest in a couple of possible deals regarding ING - Cycling Project had manager Rycadinho the following to say:
"It'll take a huge chunk of money if we are to think about a possible sale of Jurgen, though we won't refuse any offer.
José Serpas time was short, but beautiful and we could very well make a move for the Colombian though it remains to see if Carlos will be part of a possible swap - He is really held in high regard, thanks to Carlos very stable and strong performances in 2012.
We are in a position were we can play hardball, though I can't deny that some riders of the strong PT outfit doesn't interest us. Diego Ulissi was one of our main targets last year, and even though we have lost "some" of our Italian flavor after seeing Pirelli and Alfa Romeo leave, then his qualities is something both me and ING admires. Tim Deers has the abilities to do well in the CT, and he is also a rider that could make a impact in ING-Cycling Project though it remains to see if Festina is willing to take those riders in to possible negotiations."
alexkr00 wrote: Jurgen van den Broeck is a better fit in Project 1t4i, the team manager believes. The new found Dutch are looking for an absolute GT leader and Jurgen is the rider that fits our profile the most, the team manager added. Here, at Project 1t4i, we will have our full support for any GT he would like to ride, unlike with Festina, where he would have to work around Alberto Contador and Markus Fothen.
As a new Dutch team, ING might be looking for some riders with Dutch background and, according to some rumors, there's a good chance to see Ruben Plaza and Dennis Van Winden riding for them next year.
On Project 1t4i's interest in Jurgen van den Broeck:
Well it seems I'll have a hard time to keep Jurgen this year, though I can't deny that the likes of Ruben Plaza, Van Winden, Dominique Cornu and Michel Kreder is really interesting riders who both me and ING would love to see ride for us in the next season! I can already now say that the team is looking to have a good relationship with the best cycling team in Netherlands, where loan-deals also could be a interesting solution to Van den Broeck and his quite hefty price tag.
Regarding the manager of Project random numbers-and-letters comment, team manager of Festina-Canal+ issued the following comment:
"It's true that Team Festina is a much stronger team than 1t4i, which is what I believe he is trying to say. But when we aknowledge the quality of Jurgen it's not to make him work for Alberto nor Markus. Jurgen is the youngest of the three, and therefore probably also the man to develop. He is very close to the level of the other two, and that makes me think that he could even have a rider like Markus work for HIM. Not the other way around. On a more serious note, it's not determined whether Markus or Alberto for that matter, will continue in the team, but Jurgen would be a definate Tour de France rider for us, and most probably a leader, or atleast as a free role to attempt his best at a high GC place."
"Whereas interests in Diego Ulissi goes, we are currently on a level where we really need his qualities quite badly. Diego is our only competent oneday racer in those kinds of terrains and that makes him a bit of a golden boy for us. Tim Dees on the other hand has expressed his interest in joining a dutch setup this coming season, but as we have seen his qualities very high he isn't going for peanuts".
Project 1t4i refuses to comment on Festina's latest statement and just mentions "We expected more from one of the best and most respected managers in the world. Mocking our name like that is just childish"
Regarding the van den Broeck matter, Project 1t4i confirms that Plaza, Van Winden and Kreder might be indeed on their way to the new ING project. But with Cornu it would be a different matter as the Belgian has the ability to win the Continental Tour and he won't accept to be used as part of a "random" trade, as he calls it.
Edited by alexkr00 on 15-10-2012 12:09
About the latest statement from Alex, manager of Project 1t4i:
"We can assure Mr. Cornu that he would be the undisputed number one, if he will end up riding for ING. A bid, regardless of what will happen with Jurgen, to secure his service is very likely, though it''s way to early to discuss this matter more seriously until the transfer season will begin and that is also meant to Festina and every other team out there who might have a interest in a rider under my wings"
alexkr00 wrote:
Project 1t4i refuses to comment on Festina's latest statement and just mentions "We expected more from one of the best and most respected managers in the world. Mocking our name like that is just childish"
Regarding the van den Broeck matter, Project 1t4i confirms that Plaza, Van Winden and Kreder might be indeed on their way to the new ING project. But with Cornu it would be a different matter as the Belgian has the ability to win the Continental Tour and he won't accept to be used as part of a "random" trade, as he calls it.
Team manager of Festina-CANAL+ issued a short statement after Project 1t4i's manager alexkr00 refuses to comment, but then ignored the fact and did anyway.
"I'm sorry that our good friend at 1t4i couldn't see the obvious joke in my comment. Obviously I hope that we can keep our good relationship which we have always had, and truthfully I expected him to take this for what it was, a joke. Regarding Jurgen we obviously wants him to join our team, but this is not the way we want to do it. We are not interested in putting our team out there in competition as to whether or not we can produce a better lineup of helpers for Jurgen than another team. That is not the way we deal on this team. Firstly we have a rather clear assumption that a rider on contract won't be acceptable to speak to before the current teammanager has accepted an offer. And at that point it won't be about what we can do, that other teams cannot, but simply a briefing of mutual expectations the team and riders in between. At no point in the discussion will other teams be mentioned, and that is a clear marked strategy. Never focus on other persons/teams weaknesses, but instead focus on our strength. This deal will be no different, if we come to conclussion with Jurgens current team."
Edited by SotD on 15-10-2012 12:37
Breaking news: Several ING riders has been given the boot!
It seems that Rycadinho, the manager for ING Cycling - Project has a clear goal about how his team end up for season 2013. The following statement was released from the new sponsored teams updated twitter profile:
With at least 5 riders, combined with the 3 Wikipedia boys who will return to the American Pro Tour team, is it clear that ING will have a different sort of setup, than what we have seen in the last 2 year as Pirelli. Van Den Broeck will be the key to how ING will handle the transfer business, since there are now 3 big PT teams who has expressed their interest in Belgium's best stage racer. Though both Lotto and Festina have both the money, and a strong role to give VDB is it rumored that fellow Dutch team lead by Alex currently has the best chance to lure Rycadinho into a possible transfer with VDB leaving after just a year under Rycadinhos guidance.
The prospect of seeing several strong riders from Alex's phenomenal team join the ranks is something that Rycadinho is very interested in, despite loosing perhaps the best stage racer in the division.
Edited by rycadinho on 31-10-2012 16:39
fenian_1234 wrote:
It's probably not the right place - but "run for something better"?
Might be missing the point, but way I read that is don't buy our products, go to another company with better stuff.
Hope you do well with ING, btw. I was going to take them as my sponsor originally, but alex nicked them as a secondary sponsor for Jack Wolfskin....
Hahaha you really gave me the best laugh of today, I've honestly didn't give that a thought, but I think I'll keep the slogan for now
And thanks a lot mate, it's nice to know a little more about the story before my time in the game plus I'm looking forward to more good battles between our two teams, even though it's not an all-Italian battle anymore!
Renewals done - 5 riders to leave, stars stays for now...
As announced earlier was the future of Caccia, Tizza, Lagana', Borgia' and Cheula not with ING - Cycling Project and therefore were they released without the big drama. We wish all these riders well, and we are sure there are a couple of Italian outfits out there who might find these guys interesting.
We are a couple of riders short, but we have more money left in the tank than we had expected after managing to persuade stars like Van Den Broeck and Nicolas Roche into accepting smaller wages, though their future in the team very much remains in the dark. Carlos Castaño also accepted a cut in his wages, which is great since he has lost a bit of his strength during the winter break, but still remains a very potent stage racer.
Aru and Puccio will remain with the team, since we don't really have a problem that they are Italians. We didn't throw the 5 Italians out because of that, but simply since we felt that the squad could use some new experience. That the two talented Italians also accepted a pay cut proves that we are a team that offers great environment both on and off the bike to our employers.
The backbone of the team is all in all very much intact and we only need a couple of adjustments during the upcoming transfer season, something that I believe is good since I fear the market will be extremely tough to handle due to the many new teams and therefore the increased competition (which of course is a good thing for the sport).
It's with pleasure that I can announce that worldclass timetrialer David Zabriskie, who has won numerous sort of races during a brilliant career will be racing under the orange, blue and white colors for the upcoming season!
It has always been my top priority to find a guy of Davids caliber since we have decided to focus much more on races that includes those tough timetrials. After seeing guys like Cornu and Rogers being too hard to acquire for various reasons was it a fantastic opportunity to take when Pendleton agreed to sell David to us for a high, but in my view quite fair price. David will be one of our most important riders this year, and we hope he'll achieve many great moments together with us.
Zabriskie will give Rogers, Cornu and all the others a hard time!
We have all but secured another great and experienced rider, the Belgian rider Wim Van Huffel who was personally request by Jurgen Van Den Broeck and yes, Jurgen will unless something drastic happens STAY with ING despite all the rumours that has surrounded him until now. That means we only really lack a strong sprinter, but I'm working very hard on this and if we look at our roster now, then it's amazing to have guys like Zabriskie, Van Den Broeck, Roche and Castaño together on the same team, with a budget nowhere near a protour team! It shows that everyone believes in this project and are prepared to make certain economical sacrifices to help ING - Cycling Project towards glory!
A lot of things are happening around PCT outfit ING - Cycling Project and this day is surely one of the most remarkable ones during the transfer season for the dutch team.
Manager Rycadinho managed to secure the Dutch timetrial phenomenon Dennis Van Winden for just 150,000 euros while Jonathon Thire was released from Puma for just 50,000! Both deals will surely strengthen the team, and especially Winden will form a formidable partnership with David Zabriskie in the upcoming timetrials. Zabriskie has also requested a special suit to showcase his talents in timetrials in the best possible manners and therefore is it a pleasure that I can once again present to you another great pierce of work by ANFreeman - Behold, Captain America is ready to strike for glory once more!:
The biggest news though has to surround this very statement from Rycadinho, that was released just a moment a go on ING's own webside:
"We have managed to make a deal with Puma-SAP regarding a sale of Jurgen Van den Broeck for the sum of 2 million euros. The money will be wisely used, while we use Jurgen all the best in his quest for great results in the Pro Tour. It was easy to sort out a deal with Cio93, especially after our relationship has been growing due to the deal surrounding Thire
It remains to see how ING - Cycling Project will replace their champion.
He and Winden are officially going to ride for ING in 2013, after the dutch PCT team finally managed to land their much needed sprinter despite a long battle for Kip with Viens Die Berg Komt Er. Kip himself said this after finally penning the deal that will see him race together with Roche and others:
"First of all am I grateful for the interest that Vien showed me, but I'm none less very happy to be racing for ING. I'll do my best to win a lot of sprints and I can't wait to start the season. I'm content that me and Assan will be able to race together, though Rycadinho has assured us both that we'll mostly be racing without the others participation. Kip will lead ING in the masssprints this year together with Barzajev
Another dutch rider, the TT specialist Dennis Van Winden was also delighted to be confirmed as ING Rider after a good spell together with Alex: "I can't wait to race under Rycadinho and especially together with Zabriskie in Duo Differdange. We should be able to dominate most of the TT events this year, even though the competition will be tough with especially Rogers and Cornu ready to strike if me or Dave are having a bad day. Me and Dave will mostly do the same races, but I've been promised that I'll be the leader in certain races, though the team will come first for sure Winden is the biggest Dutch name in the team, and will together with Zabriskie form a strong team for the timetrials this season
The team is therefore almost ready for the next season, especially since everything looks like Rycadinho has secured yet another experienced Spanish rider in Gomez Marchante, a deal that is all but sure to happen since Ivan Santaromita will leave to finally join USB. An announcement about the Marchante story will probably be aired tomorrow, so stay tuned!
