Cervélo TestTeam
Encyclopedia
Cervélo TestTeam is a former professional cycling team
, whose license was held in Switzerland by the cycling management company Cycling United Racing. The team's title sponsor was Cervélo
, a Canadian manufacturer of bicycle frames that previously exclusively supplied . They competed in 2010 as a UCI Professional Continental team, but folded after the season.
The team formed in 2008 after Team CSC switched frames effective at the end of that season, to Specialized
, after years of success with Cervélo. Their registration as a UCI Professional Continental Team was confirmed on December 2. Earlier that year, Carlos Sastre
, then a member of Team CSC Saxo Bank, rode a Cervélo bicycle to victory in the Tour de France
. Probably the team's most notable cyclist, Sastre said that being able to continually work with Cervélo to develop bicycle technology played a part in his decision to join the new team.
The team's first season was marked by success in one-day races, with several victories and podium finishes, and a rider in the top ten in nearly every race they entered. The team was prolific in winning individual stages in stage races, including in all three Grand Tours
of the 2009 season.
cofounder Gerard Vroomen has said that bicycle manufacturers have for long not gotten much out of sponsorship and supplier deals with professional teams and that their money was better spent fronting their own team. He approached Sastre two days after the conclusion of the 2008 Tour de France
and told him about the new team, at which time Sastre verbally indicated to Vroomen that he would join the team. The other highly prominent cyclist on the squad is former Tour de France green jersey
winner Thor Hushovd
, who needed a new team following the collapse of after the 2008 season, and brought a number of Crédit Agricole riders to the team after signing.
In the six months between the end of the Tour de France and the team's first training camp in Portugal in January 2009, a roster of 25 riders and an entire supporting staff was hired. The team is one of the most broadly international in professional cycling, with 13 nations represented by those 25 riders. At the first presentation of the team in Portugal, Vroomen also evoked legendary cyclist Fausto Coppi
having ridden for a team sponsored by the bicycle industry (that sponsor being Bianchi Bicycles
) as a motivation for sponsorship of the new team. On February 11, the team was one of thirteen assigned "Wild Card" status by the UCI, allowing the organizers of UCI ProTour
events to select them to race in their event despite not having ProTour status as a team. To date, only the Tour Down Under
and the Dauphiné Libéré
have declined to invite the team.
from February 1–6, an event in which the team had great success, getting a stage win and also winning the points, team, and youth classifications. The next stage race in which the team got a victory was the 2009 Tour of California
, with Hushovd winning a mass sprint finish in the third stage, after Cervélo's leadout train successfully out maneuvered 's. Haussler took two stage wins later in the month at the 2009 Volta ao Algarve
.
The team has seen great success in one-day races in 2009, winning Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the Giro del Mendrisiotto
, and the GP Triberg-Schwarzwald
. The team entered nearly 20 major one-day races in the spring season in 2009, failing to make at least the top ten in only one, the Gran Premio dell'Insubria
.
Haussler and Hushovd both made the podium in the 2009 Milan – San Remo, narrowly missing out on the top spot to Mark Cavendish
after a sprint finish. Haussler been in the lead until the final meters, when he was overtaken by Cavendish, and he appeared quite despondent when talking to reporters after the race.
The team's first Grand Tour
was the 2009 Giro d'Italia
. Sastre was the team's leader in the race, with finishing on the podium his explicit goal. Sastre eventually finished fourth, but the team won four stages, two by Sastre in the high mountains, one by Simon Gerrans
from a breakaway, and Ignatas Konovalovas
won the Giro's closing individual time trial
.
While the Giro was ongoing, the team also competed at the 2009 Volta a Catalunya
, with Hushovd winning two stages.
In the 2009 Tour de France
, Hushovd won his second career green jersey
, holding off the six stage wins of Mark Cavendish
by virtue of a stage win of his own, a penalty assessed to Cavendish in a sprint between the two of them, and a lengthy escape on a mountain stage to claim maximum points in two intermediate sprints. The team got another stage win with Haussler in the Tour's second week. Sastre, on the other hand, had his worst Grand Tour in three years, finishing 17th overall.
. It was released online episodically.
Cycling team
A cycling team is a group of cyclists who join a team or are acquired and train together to compete in bicycle races whether recreational or professional - and the supporting personnel...
, whose license was held in Switzerland by the cycling management company Cycling United Racing. The team's title sponsor was Cervélo
Cervélo
Cervélo Cycles is a Canadian manufacturer of racing bicycle frames. Cervélo uses CAD, computational fluid dynamics, and wind tunnel testing at a variety of facilities including the San Diego Air and Space Technology Center, in California, USA, to aid its designs. Frame materials include carbon...
, a Canadian manufacturer of bicycle frames that previously exclusively supplied . They competed in 2010 as a UCI Professional Continental team, but folded after the season.
The team formed in 2008 after Team CSC switched frames effective at the end of that season, to Specialized
Specialized Bicycle Components
Specialized Bicycle Components, more commonly known simply as Specialized, is a major American brand of bicycles and related products. It was founded in 1974 by Mike Sinyard and is based in Morgan Hill, California-History:...
, after years of success with Cervélo. Their registration as a UCI Professional Continental Team was confirmed on December 2. Earlier that year, Carlos Sastre
Carlos Sastre
Carlos Sastre Candil is a retired Spanish professional road bicycle racer and champion of the 2008 Tour de France. Sastre rides in 2011 for UCI Professional Continental team...
, then a member of Team CSC Saxo Bank, rode a Cervélo bicycle to victory in the Tour de France
2008 Tour de France
The 2008 Tour de France was the 95th Tour de France. The event took place from 5–27 July 2008. Starting in the French city of Brest, the tour entered Italy on the 15th stage and returned to France during the 16th, heading for Paris, its regular final destination, which was reached in the 21st stage...
. Probably the team's most notable cyclist, Sastre said that being able to continually work with Cervélo to develop bicycle technology played a part in his decision to join the new team.
The team's first season was marked by success in one-day races, with several victories and podium finishes, and a rider in the top ten in nearly every race they entered. The team was prolific in winning individual stages in stage races, including in all three Grand Tours
Grand Tour (cycling)
In road bicycle racing, a Grand Tour refers to one of the three major European professional cycling stage races:* Tour de France – Tour of France , held in July* Giro d'Italia – Tour of Italy , held in May...
of the 2009 season.
Team roster
As of August 1, 2010.Team origin
The founding of Cervélo TestTeam was a direct reaction to Team CSC Saxo Bank switching to Specialized. A press release issued by the team at the time they were first founded indirectly stated that Specialized had outbid them to become Saxo Bank's new supplier. Sastre and Roger Hammond were two of the first cyclists to be rumored to be joining the new team. CervéloCervélo
Cervélo Cycles is a Canadian manufacturer of racing bicycle frames. Cervélo uses CAD, computational fluid dynamics, and wind tunnel testing at a variety of facilities including the San Diego Air and Space Technology Center, in California, USA, to aid its designs. Frame materials include carbon...
cofounder Gerard Vroomen has said that bicycle manufacturers have for long not gotten much out of sponsorship and supplier deals with professional teams and that their money was better spent fronting their own team. He approached Sastre two days after the conclusion of the 2008 Tour de France
2008 Tour de France
The 2008 Tour de France was the 95th Tour de France. The event took place from 5–27 July 2008. Starting in the French city of Brest, the tour entered Italy on the 15th stage and returned to France during the 16th, heading for Paris, its regular final destination, which was reached in the 21st stage...
and told him about the new team, at which time Sastre verbally indicated to Vroomen that he would join the team. The other highly prominent cyclist on the squad is former Tour de France green jersey
Points classification in the Tour de France
The points classification in the Tour de France is a secondary competition in the Tour de France, that started in 1953. Points are given for high finishes in a stage and for winning intermediate sprints, and these are recorded in a points classification. It is considered a sprinters' competition...
winner Thor Hushovd
Thor Hushovd
Thor Hushovd is a Norwegian professional road bicycle racer riding . He has signed for from 2012 onwards. He is known for sprinting and time trialing and is the 2010 Norwegian and world road champion. He is the first Norwegian to lead the Tour de France, and first Scandinavian to win the road...
, who needed a new team following the collapse of after the 2008 season, and brought a number of Crédit Agricole riders to the team after signing.
In the six months between the end of the Tour de France and the team's first training camp in Portugal in January 2009, a roster of 25 riders and an entire supporting staff was hired. The team is one of the most broadly international in professional cycling, with 13 nations represented by those 25 riders. At the first presentation of the team in Portugal, Vroomen also evoked legendary cyclist Fausto Coppi
Fausto Coppi
Angelo Fausto Coppi, , was the dominant international cyclist of the years each side of the Second World War. His successes earned him the title Il Campionissimo, or champion of champions...
having ridden for a team sponsored by the bicycle industry (that sponsor being Bianchi Bicycles
Bianchi Bicycles
F.I.V. Edoardo Bianchi S.p.A is the world's oldest bicycle-making company still in existence, having pioneered the use of equal-sized wheels with pneumatic rubber tires in 1885. It was founded in Italy in 1885. It produced cars and commercial vehicles from 1900 to 1939; and motorcycles from 1897 to...
) as a motivation for sponsorship of the new team. On February 11, the team was one of thirteen assigned "Wild Card" status by the UCI, allowing the organizers of UCI ProTour
UCI ProTour
The UCI ProTour was a series of road bicycle races in Europe, Australia and Canada organised by the UCI . Created by Hein Verbruggen, former president of the UCI, it comprises a number of 'ProTour' cycling teams, each of whom are required to compete in every round of the series...
events to select them to race in their event despite not having ProTour status as a team. To date, only the Tour Down Under
2009 Tour Down Under
The 2009 Tour Down Under was the 11th edition of the Tour Down Under cycling stage race, taking place over 20 –25 January around Adelaide, Australia...
and the Dauphiné Libéré
2009 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré
The 2009 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré was the 61st edition of the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré stage race. It took place from 7 June to 14 June, and was part of both the 2009 UCI ProTour and the inaugural World Calendar. It began in Nancy, France with an individual time trial, and ended in Grenoble...
have declined to invite the team.
2009 season
The first UCI event in which the team participated was the 2009 Tour of Qatar2009 Tour of Qatar
The 2009 Tour of Qatar was held from 1 February to 6 February 2009 in Qatar. It was a multiple stage road cycling race that took part over six stages with a total of and was part of the 2008-2009 UCI Asia Tour...
from February 1–6, an event in which the team had great success, getting a stage win and also winning the points, team, and youth classifications. The next stage race in which the team got a victory was the 2009 Tour of California
2009 Tour of California
The 2009 Amgen Tour of California was the 4th running of an annual cycling race contained within the state of California. The event was staged February 14–22 and began with a prologue in the state capital of Sacramento. The event was held as part of the schedule of both the UCI America Tour and USA...
, with Hushovd winning a mass sprint finish in the third stage, after Cervélo's leadout train successfully out maneuvered 's. Haussler took two stage wins later in the month at the 2009 Volta ao Algarve
Volta ao Algarve
The Volta ao Algarve is a road bicycle racing stage race held annually in the Algarve, Portugal. Since 2005, it has been organised as a 2.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour. Due to its early February position in the European calendar, it is used by many riders to prepare for the Spring...
.
The team has seen great success in one-day races in 2009, winning Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the Giro del Mendrisiotto
Giro del Mendrisiotto
Giro del Mendrisiotto is a road bicycle race held annually around Mendrisio, in the canton of Ticino of Switzerland. The race was an amateur competition until 1996...
, and the GP Triberg-Schwarzwald
GP Triberg-Schwarzwald
The GP Triberg-Schwarzwald is a single-day road bicycle race held annually in June in Triberg im Schwarzwald, Germany. Since 2005 it is part of the UCI Europe Tour, being organised as 1.1 race.- Winners :-External links:*...
. The team entered nearly 20 major one-day races in the spring season in 2009, failing to make at least the top ten in only one, the Gran Premio dell'Insubria
Gran Premio dell'Insubria
Gran Premio dell'Insubria-Lugano is a single day race in the historic region of Insubria, Switzerland. The race was established in 2009 as a 1.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour. The first edition was won by Italian Francesco Ginanni of the team.-Past winners:...
.
Haussler and Hushovd both made the podium in the 2009 Milan – San Remo, narrowly missing out on the top spot to Mark Cavendish
Mark Cavendish
Mark Cavendish MBE is a Manx professional road racing cyclist who rides for UCI ProTeam until the end of this season when the team is dissolved. He will join Team Sky at the start of the 2012 season...
after a sprint finish. Haussler been in the lead until the final meters, when he was overtaken by Cavendish, and he appeared quite despondent when talking to reporters after the race.
The team's first Grand Tour
Grand Tour (cycling)
In road bicycle racing, a Grand Tour refers to one of the three major European professional cycling stage races:* Tour de France – Tour of France , held in July* Giro d'Italia – Tour of Italy , held in May...
was the 2009 Giro d'Italia
2009 Giro d'Italia
The 2009 Giro d'Italia was the 92nd running of the Giro d'Italia, one of cycling's Grand Tours. It was held from 9 to 31 May 2009, and marked the 100th year since the first edition of the race...
. Sastre was the team's leader in the race, with finishing on the podium his explicit goal. Sastre eventually finished fourth, but the team won four stages, two by Sastre in the high mountains, one by Simon Gerrans
Simon Gerrans
Simon Gerrans is an Australian professional road bicycle racer, who currently rides for the British UCI ProTour team, .-Biography:Gerrans was born in Melbourne, Victoria and grew up in Mansfield, Victoria....
from a breakaway, and Ignatas Konovalovas
Ignatas Konovalovas
Ignatas Konovalovas is an Lithuanian road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam .Konovalovas finished third in European U19 Team Pursuit Championship in 2003, European U23 Team Pursuit Championship in...
won the Giro's closing individual time trial
Individual time trial
An individual time trial is a road bicycle race in which cyclists race alone against the clock . There are also track-based time trials where riders compete in velodromes, and team time trials...
.
While the Giro was ongoing, the team also competed at the 2009 Volta a Catalunya
2009 Volta a Catalunya
The 2009 Volta a Catalunya was the 89th edition of the Volta. It took place between 18 May and 24 May, and was part of both the ProTour and the inaugural World Calendar...
, with Hushovd winning two stages.
In the 2009 Tour de France
2009 Tour de France
The 2009 Tour de France was the 96th edition of the Tour de France, one of cycling's Grand Tours. It started on 4 July in the principality of Monaco with a individual time trial which included a section of the Circuit de Monaco...
, Hushovd won his second career green jersey
Green jersey
The green jersey is a term used in road bicycle racing and Grand Tour stage races in particular. The green jersey is a distinctive racing jersey worn by the leader in a subsidiary competition....
, holding off the six stage wins of Mark Cavendish
Mark Cavendish
Mark Cavendish MBE is a Manx professional road racing cyclist who rides for UCI ProTeam until the end of this season when the team is dissolved. He will join Team Sky at the start of the 2012 season...
by virtue of a stage win of his own, a penalty assessed to Cavendish in a sprint between the two of them, and a lengthy escape on a mountain stage to claim maximum points in two intermediate sprints. The team got another stage win with Haussler in the Tour's second week. Sastre, on the other hand, had his worst Grand Tour in three years, finishing 17th overall.
Media
Cervélo TestTeam is featured in the documentary Beyond the Peloton, which detailed the team's origins and its first competitive season2009 Cervélo TestTeam season
The 2009 season for the , its first, began in February with the Tour of Qatar and ended in October with the Giro di Lombardia. Though they applied for UCI ProTour status after their formation, the team competed in 2009 as a UCI Professional Continental team with wildcard status...
. It was released online episodically.