Frenchman becomes green team’s 28th rider; likely comes along with Sojasun as sponsor
Cannondale Pro Cycling has confirmed that, as rumoured in early December, it has signed Frenchman Jean-Marc Marino for the 2014 season. The 30-year-old from Castres, in the Tarn department of the the Midi-Pyrénées region, is one of the last riders from the now-defunct Sojasun team to have found a ride for the upcoming season, having spent the last five years with the Professional Continental team.
"I'm really excited to start this new experience with Cannondale Pro Cycling," said Marino. "I'm grateful to the team for offering me this opportunity. Since the folding of Sojasun, I've been waiting for the chance to compete at the highest level of cycling. Cannondale Pro Cycling is great team, with strong leaders and promising talents. I'll be one of the oldest riders of the group, but I plan to share my knowledge of the sport with the rest of the team."
It was reported in French sportspaper l’Equipe that Sojasun - despite no longer choosing to commit to the full sponsorship of its eponymous team - was to join Cannondale Pro Cycling as a nutrition sponsor, and that Marino’s signing was to be part of this deal.
The American-registered team has yet to confirm whether Sojasun has indeed come on board, but team manager Roberto Amadio welcomed his latest rider, who will be the first ever Frenchman on the team since its inception as Liquigas in 2005.
"When I talked to Marino for the first time I really appreciated how eager he was to wear the Cannondale Pro Cycling jersey," Amadio said. "Our 2014 squad has many young riders. We wanted to complete the roster adding a member able to ensure know-how and team spirit. Marino has the right characteristics for our team: passion for cycling, devotion to duty and willingness to do well."