Dane Martin Pedersen (Capinordic) and Italian Fabio Felline (Bergamasca-De Nardi elite-2) have just been announced as the latest signings for Footon-Servetto's 2010 linenup.
Pedersen had a great season as one of the leaders of Danish continental team Capinordic, with four wins that include the prestigious Rund um Köln in April. At 26, the Dane already has four years of pro experience in the continental ranks as well as two seasons as part of Bjarne Riis' CSC team. His biggest win was the 2006 Tour of Britain when he was riding for the Danish ProTour squad.
Felline, 19, was regarded as one of Italy's biggest hopefuls in the amateur peloton. He earned that reputation by being one of the most dominant riders as a junior. His success carried over into the U23 ranks where he won one of the mountain stages in the Giro delle Valli Cuneesi during his first season.
Fotton-Servetto is certainly taking a different approach to that of the British Team Sky and American BMC team. Both Sky and BMC are loading their rosters with proven heavy hitters, while Fotton-Servetto looks toward building some of their own. Whether that approach will give the team enough success to keep their ProTour license when renewal time comes is questionable, but in the short term, focusing on developing young riders is a positive result of the team's budgetary limitations.
Footon-Servetto roster:
Giampaolo Cheula (ITA, 30)
Alberto Benítez (ESP, 29)
Martin Pedersen (DEN, 26)
David Gutiérrez (ESP, 26)
Ermanno Capelli (ITA, 25)
David Vitoria (SUI, 25)
Michele Merlo (ITA, 25)
Markus Eibegger (AUT, 25)
Miguel Ángel Rubiano (COL, 25)
Enrique Mata (ESP, 24)
Eros Capecchi (ITA, 23)
Arkaitz Durán (ESP, 23)
Marco Corti (ITA, 23)
Pedro Merino (ESP, 22)
David Gutiérrez Palacios (ESP, 22)
Thomas Patrick Faiers (GBR, 22)
Rafael Valls (ESP, 22)
Mathias Brändle (AUT, 20)
Fabio Felline (ITA, 19)