After nine years with Credite Agricole, six-time Tour de France stage winner Thor Hushovd signed with the new Cervélo TestTeam. The Norwegian sprinter decided to follow 2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre of Spain in September 2008.

“First, it was a big challenge for me to change teams,” said Hushovd. “I’ve been on the same team for many, many years. I wanted to change something, something new, a new experience not go to another French team which are the same. We are a good group of riders who enjoy riding their bikes and that’s important. I think we have absolutely one of the fastest and strongest leadout in the world. I look forward to try that and see how we work together.”

“We have been talking about how we (will) work out,” continued Hushovd. “The only good training and practice we can get is in races, so we have to start on practicing and get used to each other, and then we just try and see how it works. For us, it’s not important if we win. To win of course is really good, but we want to try to set up, work together and see how everything works out.”

Hushvod had the opportunity to test drive his new team and new lead-out in the Modesto sprint finish. The results were extremely positive as Cervélo TestTeam new lead-out squad drove Hushvold to a stage win on Tuesday.

“We delivered a good leadout, so that Thor could easily win the stage,” stated team mate Dominique Rollin. “(Hayden) Roulston launched us and gave us our cruising speed. I took over with one kilometer to go and after the last turn, I gave the wheel to Brett Lancaster who is quite experienced in this type of work.”

“With the rain, the roads were slick. Therefore we preferred to play the safe card and be in front. It was simpler for us to impose our rhythm. By being in front for the turns, we avoided having something bump us which could cause a crash. Also, it helped to set our desired speed in the turns and to stretch out the peloton to eliminate some of the competitors around Thor.”

“We did an excellent job. Our team worked very well and it’s a good omen for the rest of the race. It raised the morale and it lets us start the next day with a little bit less pressure.”
Sports Director Jean Paul Von Poppel called it, “a perfect train with Roulston starting the action about 2 km out.”

“This is the first time I’ve been riding with these guys,” commented Hushvold. “I know that with these guys, we are have one of the best lead-out teams in the world, and I think we showed that today. I’m looking forward to the future and chances for another sprint. I’m really proud of them.”

This new Cervélo TestTeam looks to allow Hushvold to attain some 2009 goals. “I have a few goals. The first goal is the Classics. Milan-San Remo is a big goal for me and then its Flanders and Roubaix. After that, I will go to the Giro. I’d love to win a stage and after that the Tour de France.”

foto Wessel van keuk/Cor Vos ©2009

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