The slow exodus of riders from the Geox TMC team continues with the news that the Austrian Matthias Brändle has decided to race with the ProContinental NetApp team in 2012.
The Geox TMC management is still working hard to try to find a way to keep the team going after its main sponsor walked away, and reportedly have two possibilities for backing. Brandle has opted for security, though, and the 21 year old will work on developing his career with the German team instead.
National time trial champion in 2009, Brandle showed his all-round ability the following season when he finished eighth in the Tour de Langkawi. In 2011 he took the sprinter’s jersey in the Tour de Romandie and was part of the victorious team in the Vuelta a España. He also helped Geox-TMC team-mate Juan Jose Cobo to the overall victory.
NetApp manager Ralph Denk said that the team’s bike supplier Simplon was instrumental in helping secure the deal with Brandle. He stated that the rider lives just twenty minutes from the headquarters and there’s links going back many years.
“"Matthias is a perfect fit in terms of our concept. He's young but already brings with him skills that we will be able to make good use of in our tour team,” he said. “He's a fast sprinter, a good time-trial rider, an active rider. He can both support the team and take advantage of his own opportunities at smaller tours.”
He is the seventh new signing for the squad.
Team NetApp 2012 (as of November 28, 2011):
Jan Barta (CZE), Jerome Baugnies (BEL), Cesare Benedetti (ITA), Matthias Brändle (AUT), Steven Cozza (USA), Andreas Dietziker (SUI), Markus Eichler (GER), Reto Hollenstein (SUI), Bartosz Huzarski (POL), Grischa Janorschke (GER), Blaz Jarc (SLO), Leopold König (CZE), Andreas Schillinger (GER), Daniel Schorn (AUT), André Schulze (GER), Michael Schwarzmann (GER), Timon Seubert (GER)