The Skil-Shimano team has added Christian Guiberteau to its technical staff roster as a director sportif. The 42-year-old Frenchman was previously a Director Sportif at Bbox Bouygues Telecom (and its previous incarnations as Brioches La Boulanger and Bonjour) between 2000 and 2009 and returns to the sport after a year away.
As a Director Sportif of the French team Guiberteau was behind the wheel at four Tours de France, five Vueltas a España and three Giros d’Italia. He decided to quit the sport in 2009, but has now decided to return with the Professional Continental team.
“Skil-Shimano is a team that suits me because of the modern philosophy,” said Guiberteau. “The intensive guidance of the riders, the attention for innovation and the ethics codes are key aspects bearing in mind cycling’s future. The team spirit – Skil-Shimano have a close-knit, loyal staff – and the ambition of the team also appeal to me. It’s my objective to help the team to participate in the most important races and to help our riders to perform well.”
General manager Iwan Spekenbrink welcomes the addition of the Frenchman to his technical staff.
“Christian brings experience and he has a modern view of cycling that dovetails excellently with our team’s philosophy,” he said. “His duties include taking charge of a substantial part of the race schedule as directeur sportif and strengthening Skil-Shimano’s position in France.”
The 2011 Skil-Shimano roster features six French riders, including new signing Mathieu Sprick with whom Guiberteau will have worked with for a number of years at Bbox Bouygues Telecom. The team rode the 2009 Tour de France, but was disappointed to miss out on an invitation to the race this year.