Australia's emerging team, Pegasus Sports strengthened itself by signing cyclists Dominique Cornu and Bobbie Traksel. The team announced today that they will join for next season, its first in the second division.
"With Cornu and Traksel we have secured the services of two riders who fit perfectly in our team," said Pegasus Sports CEO Chris White. "Cornu is a strong time trialist and also feels at home on the cobbles, while Traksel is a tough rider for the one-day events."
Traksel proved his staying power this spring at the Belgian one-day classic, Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. Half of the participants dropped out due to harsh weather conditions, but Traksel remained to win his biggest race yet.
The 29-year-old Dutchman rode the last two seasons with home team, Vacansoleil. In addition to winning in Kuurne, he won the Veenendaal-Veenendaal in 2002 and the Three Days of West Vlaanderen in 2008.
Dominique Cornu, 25, is Belgium's top time trialist. He won the 2006 Under 23 World Championships and several Belgian titles. His time trial stage win at the Tour of Belgium this year helped him finish second in the final overall classification.
He started his professional career with Predictor Lotto in 2007. This year, he rode for Dutch team Skil-Shimano.
Australia's Pegasus Sport raced mostly in the USA and Australia this year. However, it will step up from the third division to join the second division next season. Chris White had hoped to take his team further, but just missed out on receiving a first division, ProTeam licence last month.
White will base his team in Europe for next season and race more of cycling's historical races.