Having already confirmed that it is bringing over Fränk and Andy Schleck along with the RadioShack-Leopard WorldTour licence, the Trek Factory Racing team has confirmed the signing of another pair of brothers in the shape of Boy and Danny van Poppel. The two Dutchmen are both currently riding for Vacansoleil-DCM - where their father, 1987 Tour de France green jersey Jean-Paul is directeur sportif - which is set to fold at the end of the season.
"This feels like another step up for me," said 25-year-old elder brother Boy. "Already last year was fantastic, with my selection for the Tour. I'm also happy I get to stay in the same team as my brother. Racing with your brother is always special and I'm proud to help him, because he's a natural. I know my place is to lead him out. It's more motivating to lead your brother out than another rider."
At just 19 years of age this July, younger brother Danny became the youngest rider to take part in the Tour de France since World War II, where he finished third on stage one and wore the white jersey in lieu of stage winner Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano).
"I'm very happy to join the Trek team, which looks like one of the most professional teams out there," he said. "It's a beautiful project with very strong riders and also an important focus on developing young riders like my brother and myself. In terms of my ambitions: everyone thinks I'm a pure sprinter, but I believe I can do more than that. I think that I can be good in the semi-classics in the medium term as well. Personally, my goal is to become a better rider. This year was a breakthrough year for me. I was very proud to be selected for the Tour and taking third place in the opening stage and wearing the white jersey was huge for me."
Along with the two Dutch brothers, the team is also to add Italian Fabio Felline for next season. The 23-year-old is currently with Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela, having ridden the last two Giri d’Italia for the ProContinental team, and taken a close second place in each edition.
Felline also rode the 2010 Tour de France, as a 20-year-old, for previous team Footon-Servetto, and relishes his return to the WorldTour.
"I'm super motivated and happy to come to Trek Factory Racing," said Felline. This is certainly a big opportunity for me to be able to ride the races of the WorldTour and to do so on the same team as some of the greatest riders in the peloton. It's very exciting and special for me to join a team of this level. I believe I still have a lot to learn, so it will be my ambition to gain experience and work for team's goals. I'm anxious to see how far I can come with good training and counselling.”
"The Van Poppel brothers are very talented sprinters that have a big potential for the future," said Trek Factory Racing general manager Luca Guercilena. "They are both still young and we believe that they can make a big progression with our team. Fabio Felline has already posted some nice results in the recent past. His capacities reach very wide and I'm curious and confident to see what he's capable of with the support, program, and equipment that our team can offer him."