Team RadioShack-Nissan-Trek today announced its seven man squad for the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under, hot off the back of the UCI’s confirmation this week that the team has been awarded a UCI WorldTour licence.
Santos Tour Down Under Race Director Mike Turtur said that he was pleased the newly combined team, of RadioShack and Leopard Trek, would be competing in the race in January 2012.

“RadioShack-Nissan-Trek has selected an impressive lineup to include a mix of Grand Tour experience and youthful competitiveness in their Santos Tour Down Under squad,” Turtur said.

Italian sprinter Daniele Bennati will lead the team. Since 2007, Daniele Bennati has won 10 Grand Tour stages, two at the Tour de France, three at the Giro d’Italia and five at the Vuelta a Espana, making him a rider who makes his presence felt in the peloton.

“With seven stage wins during this year, I am sure Bennati will start the year strong and aim for results at our race as the first WorldTour race of the season,” Turtur said.

Though he is approaching an age at which many cyclists often call it a day, Jens Voigt shows no signs of slowing down, making him a welcome addition to any race on the global calendar.

“We look forward to welcoming back Jens Voigt. Not only is Jens is a three time Tour de France stage winner, he is an absolute crowd favourite.”

The inclusion of Linus Gerdemann, the 2011 Tour of Luxembourg winner, as well as New Zealand riders Hayden Roulston (the current New Zealand National Road Race Champion and Commonwealth and Olympic medalist) and Jess Sergent (Olympic medalist) adds another element of experience to the team.

RadioShack-Nissan-Trek’s team for the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under will be led by Team Manager, Jose Bent Carvalho de Azevedo (POR) and include riders: Daniele Bennati (ITA), Linus Gerdemann (GER), Ben Hermans (BEL), Tiago Jose Pinto Machado (POR), Hayden Roulston (NZL), Jesse Sergent (NZL) and Jens Voigt (GER).
More teams and rider names are expected to be announced by the Santos Tour Down Under over the coming days.

The 2012 Santos Tour Down Under will be held in Adelaide and regional South Australia from 15-22 January 2012. Visit www.tourdownunder.com.au for more information.