After making a successful return to cycling this summer after a year away from the sport, Kai Reus has confirmed that he will compete at the Pro Continental level next season, riding many big events.
“Throughout the course of the past few weeks, there was some speculation surrounding what team I would sign with for the 2012 season,” he stated in his personal blog. “Now, I am happy to confirm that I have officially signed with the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team. I am very happy and excited to be part of the team this season [2012]”
Reus’s news is very encouraging, as it shows that the 2003 junior world champion and 2006 Under 23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège winner still has a future in the sport.
He had two big setbacks in his career; in July 2007 he crashed in the Alps, suffered head injuries and spent several days in a coma.
Then, after returning and going on to win a stage plus place fourth overall in the 2009 Tour of Britain (pictured), he contracted mononucleosis and struggled mentally and physically. He announced last year that he had decided to quit the sport.
Fortunately, a period of time spent speed stating refreshed his mind and he decided to come back to cycling.
Reus spoke to VeloNation in June and said then that he was determined to work hard
. “The results are not so important for me right now. I will try to build good condition for next year, for 2012,” he said.
He returned in the Dutch time trial championships and finished a very solid 13th out of 40 riders. In August Reus won stage one of the Tour de Mi Aout en Bretagne, showing that his comeback is progressing well.
“I worked hard. Not only physically but mentally,” he stated, talking about that return to the sport. “The reward is a contract with this great American Pro Continental team. In 2012, they will be riding both an American and a European program. I am looking forward to it and will mainly ride the European races.”
Reus explained that it was crucial for him to have been able to take time away from the sport, becoming mentally refreshed, while also staying fit at the same time.
“Last winter I experienced a great adventure with Henk Angenents speedskating team. By doing this I was able to make my second cycling comeback with Team Rijke in June,” he said. “And now, I’m off on a new adventure in America with Team UnitedHealthcare.
“I am looking forward to taking this step and hopefully will add a few highlights in the next season. I’m excited!”
The American squad has made other strong signings in recent weeks, including 2009 Vuelta a España stage winner and top-ten finisher Philip Deignan. Also joining are Ben Day (Kenda), Marc de Maar (Quick Step), Jeff Louder (BMC Racing Team), Jason McCartney (RadioShack) and Jay Thomson (Bissell Cycling Team).
The signings reflect the growing ambition of the team, and should see it in the hunt for some big results in 2012.