Management

RADIOSHACK LEOPARD (RLT) - LUX

The RadioShack team had a difficult 2012, which led to limited results, but the Luxembourgian based team is taking a positive turn.

The well respected coach Luca Guercilena has been appointed new Team Manager given the task of rebuilding the team and its damaged moral. The Italian has worked hard so that big-name riders such as Fabian Cancellara, Andy Schleck and veteran Chris Horner are back to their best in 2013.

Cancellara missed most of the Classics after fracturing his shoulder at the Tour of Flanders. He recovered to wear the yellow jersey for seven days at the Tour de France in July but crashed again at the Olympics and ended his season early. In 2013 he will target the Spring Classics (from Milano-Sanremo to the Amstel Gold Race) rather than the time-trial, a speciality where he took an Olympic gold medal in 2008 and four UCI World titles.

Andy Schleck was also hit by injury, fracturing his hip during the Critérium du Dauphiné in June, forcing him to miss the Tour de France. The injury caused him serious problems and he only got back to racing at the end of the season, notably at the Tour of Beijing. He will be working hard in 2013 and started his program at the Tour Down Under to ensure he is back to his best for the Tour de France. His goal: to prove his career has not peaked early.

RadioShack-Leopard boosted its roster by signing Classics contender Stijn Devolder and Robert Kiserlovski. Along with Jan Bakelants and emerging talent Tony Gallopin, they will offer excellent support and alternative strategies to the Cancellara card in the Spring Classics.

German sprinter Danilo Hondo will also play a key role. His track racing skills make him an expert in the final kilometres of a sprint finish along with lead out team mates such as Gallopin and emerging young Italian Giacomo Nizzolo.

At 41, Jens Voigt is the oldest rider in the UCI WorldTour but still has power in his legs and determination to do well. Andreas Klöden, Maxime Monfort and Haimar Zubeldia also form the hardworking backbone of the RadioShack team.