Rory Sutherland and Robert Förster, perhaps the two most recognizable names on the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team, have been re-signed by the squad for the 2012 season. Sutherland, the Australian veteran with the team for the past five seasons, is a popular name in the American professional scene. This season, he finished seventh overall at the Tour of California, and tenth at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, and he hopes to continue to improve.
“Rory has been a staple on this team since 2007,” team director Mike Tamayo enthused. “He is an example of what we are trying to do with the future of Team UnitedHealthcare, and part of my personal vision, to provide our riders with the right tools, management and race program to become better and competitive at a world class level. It has been a great ride so far to watch Rory progress, and the next year is even more promising.”
“I am happy to be racing with Team UnitedHealthcare again in 2012 and helping it continue to grow,” Sutherland added. “We have had a great group of team-mates here, both existing and new, that have made racing with this team so enjoyable. Next year will be my sixth year with Momentum Sports Group [the owner and operator of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling] and I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t feel happy and at home.”
“I consider myself very lucky to do the job that I do, for all of our great and very involved sponsors, especially our title sponsor, UnitedHealthcare. I am looking forward to continuing on in 2012.”
Förster is spending his first season with the American team after nearly ten years in his home country, racing for German teams. Förster has signed on for a second season with UnitedHealthcare. The 33-year-old former Vuelta stage victor has three wins this season, and finished third at the Philadelphia International Championship.
“I am very happy to race for UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling again next year,” said Förster. “This has been a good season and I cannot say enough about my teammates and this organization and its sponsors. We still have to finish out 2011, but I am really looking forward to 2012.”
Tamayo has been pleased so far with what the experienced sprinter has brought to the table. “There is no question that Robert was a great addition for us in 2011,” he said. “His strength as a sprinter is just a small part of what he brings to the team. Robert is an outstanding team-mate and it is great that we share the same vision of not only seeing him win more races, but helping a young rider like Jake Keough become more competitive internationally. We are more than happy to have him back for 2012.”
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling sends Sutherland and Förster, along with Christopher Jones, Karl Menzies, Boy Van Poppel, and Jonathan Clarke to the Tour of Britain, which starts Sunday.