The Christina Watches team has announced the signing of Danish rider Rene Jørgensen, who has previously raced with the CSC, Fakta, Barloworld and Team Designa Køkken squads. Bringing the 35 year old on board increases the team lineup to 14 riders, and that completes the signings for the squad’s debut season.
Michael Rasmussen has been named as team captain, with Jørgensen and Michael Reihs to act as vice-captains.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to become part of Christina Watches and I feel certain that we will be successful at home as well as abroad,” he said. “We have a diversified team that can play a part in all kinds of terrains. The team mix of both young and experienced riders is equally a strong feature of this team.
“I take my part as Vice Captain very seriously. I feel very confident about contributing with victories and at the same time be that strong domestic that Michael Rasmussen will need in the hilly terrains where I also have my strong points.”
Jørgensen has clocked up a number of strong results during his career, including first and second in the GP Herning and second in the Ronde van Drenthe. He said he is particularly determined heading into 2011. “I have trained hard throughout the winter and cannot wait to get out on the streets again and compete for real. My motivation has never been higher and I look forward to meeting all my new team-mates soon.”
The team announced earlier this month that it had secured a Continental licence, something which was confirmed by the UCI website. However the governing body told VeloNation that because big changes have taken place in terms of the team’s structure since the application was lodged, it will re-examine the situation before confirming the licence.
Main sponsor Christina Hembo has said that she is pleased with the signing. “Rene Jørgensen is one of the strongest riders Denmark has seen over the past decade. I very quickly realized that he was an absolute must for our new cycling team. I gave Rene a call and asked him if being Vice Captain on my team was of interest and explained to him that he was to play a major part in making Christina Watches the leading Danish Continental team. I am today very proud to be able to announce that Rene accepted and now rides for Christina Watches.”
Christina Racing lineup for 2011:
Captain: Michael Rasmussen
Vice- Captain: Michael Reihs
Vice- Captain: Rene Jørgensen
Guytan Lilholt
Kristian Sobota
Marc Hester
Mads Moltke
Pelle Clap
Mads Hardal
Martin Lind
Daniel V. Andersen
Jesper Odgaard
Jacob Gye Madsen
Daniel Malmros