Jonathan Cantwell signs with Saxo Bank-SunGard
Cantwell, in his Australian champion's kit, at the 2011 Tour of Elk Grove. Photo: Kraiker Australian sprinter Jonathan Cantwell joins Saxo Bank-SunGard for the 2012 season. Cantwell, 29, rode for Fly V Australia from 2009 to 2011, winning many major criteriums in the U.S. He had planned…
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Australian sprinter Jonathan Cantwell joins Saxo Bank-SunGard for the 2012 season.
Cantwell, 29, rode for Fly V Australia from 2009 to 2011, winning many major criteriums in the U.S. He had planned to race for the Pegasus team for 2011. While that team fell through, he did win the Australian criterium championship this year.
“Jonathan has won many races in the past four years whilst riding in Australia and the States and has shown he is a winner,” Saxo team owner Bjarne Riis said in a statement.
“I feel he now deserves a shot at the very top level. He is a hard working person and a tough guy, and I believe he can further lift his level. So I see Jonathan as an asset for us in the stage races, when it comes to helping out J.J. Haedo in the sprints, or going for a win himself.”
Cantwell said he expects to work for Haedo in the sprints in 2012.
“My personal objective is to be a strong lead out for J.J. Haedo and just learn from Bjarne Riis, his group of sport directors and my new teammates. I’m 29 year old, and I have been waiting for this opportunity, so I definitely want to show my face too. Number one is to do the job, the team asks from me, and secondly, if I’m told that “this is your chance”, then I want to take it with both hands and go for a win.”