Dan Martin and Rory Sutherland join UAE Team Emirates
Aug 18 2017 09:30 pm CET
Photo of Dan Martin © Tim De Waele
UAE Team Emirates has unveiled the signings of both Daniel Martin and Rory Sutherland. The riders make a move from Quick-Step Floors and Movistar, respectively.
Martin, 30, has in recent years developed himself as a strong rider in grand tours as well as shorter stage races and classics. He finished in the top 10 of the last two editions of the Tour de France and earned podium spots in this year's Paris-Nice and the Criterium du Dauphine.
The Irishman also has a history of success in classics, with victories at the 2013 edition of Liege-Bastogne-Liege and the 2014 Giro di Lombardia. This year, he finished second in Liege and in the Fleche Wallonne.
"The opportunity to join an ambitious group backed by globally recognised brands and use my experience to create a team capable of challenging the best in the world was one that I couldn’t refuse," Martin said.
"UAE Team Emirates share my vision, my attention to detail and my passion for the sport, and as I enter into the most important years of my career, they offer me the best platform possible to reach my potential and fulfil my sporting goals. To race with such a talented roster under the guidance of a highly motivated and experienced staff is incredibly exciting but I also realise this is more than a team as we work with our partners to not only promote the sport I love but a healthy lifestyle and two wheels on a global scale."
Sutherland, meanwhile, is one of the most experienced riders in the current peloton. The 35-year-old turned professional in 2003 although it wasn't until 2015 that he made his grand tour debut. He has since ridden the Giro and the Vuelta twice each.
"This new challenge offers me the opportunity to work with my good friend Dan Martin while also helping the development of the younger generation of professional cyclists within the team," the Australian explained.
"I feel an immense sense of pride that the team management has the trust and belief that I can be an asset to the leaders of this team. I feel at this stage of my career my experience can be an important part of the future of the team and as I have progressed in my career I find it more rewarding to support my leaders and guide the younger riders."
Team manager Carlo Saronni believes that the two new signings will suit the team's philosophy.
"We’re moving with the perspective of bringing quality athletes on to the team, athletes with the right motivations to best represent the spirit of our project," he stated.
"Daniel Martin is capable of excelling both in the in-line races as well as the major tours; we will be able to create the conditions that will allow him to express himself at his best and, with this in mind, we have also secured ourselves the performance of an experienced pacer like Sutherland."
Martin joins his new team on a contract for two years while Sutherland signed a contract for one year.
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