UAE Team Emirates has announced that it has reached deals with the cyclists Daniel Martin and Rory Sutherland to join the team starting in the 2018 UCI World Tour season.
Irishman Martin, who has signed a two year deal with the team, says he is relishing the new challenge; “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. 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 highly motivated and experienced staff is incredibly exciting. 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.”
Australian Rory Sutherland, who signs a one-year deal commented; “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. 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.”
Carlo Saronni, Team Manager for UAE Team Emirates: “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. Dan 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 we have also secured ourselves the performance of an experienced pacer in Rory Sutherland.”