Team LottoNL-Jumbo welcomes Battaglin
Team LottoNL-Jumbo signed the Italian rider Enrico Battaglin for the 2016 cycling season. Battaglin, who rode to Giro d’Italia stage victories in 2013 and 2014, will focus on the Ardennes Classics when he joins the Dutch team.
“After four years with Bardiani-CSF Pro Team, it’s a good moment to move to a WorldTour team,” Battaglin said about his transfer.
“I didn’t ride a superb season, so I’m very glad for this chance. I spoke with several teams, but Richard Plugge quite easily convinced me to join Team LottoNL-Jumbo.”
Structure
“We have a big Italian sponsor with Bianchi,” sports director, Nico Verhoeven explained. “We were looking for a Italian rider who fits with the structure of our team and who gives our team a boost, as well. Enrico has won two stages in the Giro d’Italia in the last three years. There are not many riders who did that, especially when you notice that he isn’t a bunch sprinter or a superb climber. Besides that, he was never part of a WorldTour team, so when he performs in a better structure from the beginning of the season, he will probably be able to improve. We will enjoy this collaboration.”
Specialissima
Battaglin looks forward to his time with Team LottoNL-Jumbo and finds the collaboration with Bianchi a nice plus. “I love the fact that I’m going to ride a Bianchi bike. Bianchi is huge in Italy and I’m really looking forward to test the Specialissima frame,” he said.
“I’m an explosive rider and that’s why I think that the Amstel Gold Race, the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège suit me. I participated in the Italian WorldTour races in the last years and now, I’m able to explore the other high-level races, as well. Besides the Ardennes Classics, I want to ride a grand tour next year.”
Challenge
“My transfer to Team LottoNL-Jumbo is a big challenge,” Battaglin continued. “I’m the only Italian in the team. I don’t know my new team-mates personally, but I know who they are and what they’re capable of. Wilco Kelderman is a big talent and Sep Vanmarcke is a world-class rider in the spring classics. I want to adjust to my new team as quick as possible. The team’s giving me a great chance and I want to grab it.”
Verhoeven isn’t worried about that. “We’re going to teach him Dutch,” the sports director said. “George Bennett learned the language in half a year. Enrico’s English is good enough, as well, so I’m not expecting any communication problems.”
