South African rider Daryl Impey has signed for the German Professional Continental NetApp team with immediate effect. The 26-year-old from Johannesburg has become the latest casualty from the Team Pegasus debacle to find a new berth at the elite level.
"I am pleased that we have been able to gain Daryl Impey for our team," said Ralph Denk, Team NetApp manager. “Daryl is an all-rounder who will support the team in the demanding upcoming racing schedule. He is strong in tours, is an absolute team player and has proven to have a very stable form despite some turbulence in the last six months. We are counting on this morale and performance
"My special thanks go to Douglas Ryder, the Team Manager of MTN-Qhubeka,” he added. “He didn't hesitate for a minute and released Daryl immediately to make the switch, despite his important role in the team."
After spending two years with the British-registered South African Barloworld team, Impey signed with RadioShack for 2010. After a season of solid performances, despite a knee injury sustained in the Volta a Catalunya, he signed a contract with Pegausus, which was to be the first Australian team to enter the ProTour. The collapse of the whole outfit at the end of the year though, meant that he was without a team for 2011; he has spent the season so far riding for the small Continental MTN-Qhubeka team, racing an entirely African calendar.
“My heart is split into two. It was certainly not an easy decision to make but obviously I want to race in Europe,” said Impey. “My objective is to try and race all the Grand Tours one day.
“It is really admirable of Douglas Ryder to release me,” he added. “It shows a lot about his character especially that he is true to his word. Right from the beginning Douglas made it clear that he would not stand in my way if I get an offer to race for one of the bigger teams in Europe.”
So far this year Impey has become the South African time trial champion, finished third in the Tour of South Africa, and second in the Tour du Maroc. He will doubtless be looking forward to racing with his new team though, which has so far appeared at some of the most prestigious races in the calendar, including Paris-Roubaix.