24 December, 2018, Polkowice (POL)
Former Austrian road race champion Riccardo Zoidl is set to return to the WorldTour
in 2019 with CCC Team as a late addition to the team’s roster, General Manager Jim
Ochowicz announced today.
Zoidl, who previously raced for Trek-Segafredo from 2014 to 2016, joined the team in
Denia, Spain for the pre-season training camp.
“We are excited to welcome Riccardo Zoidl to CCC Team in 2019. When a position
opened up on our roster, Riccardo was our first choice thanks to his recent results and
his previous WorldTour experience. As a former Austrian time trial champion and twotime
road race champion, winner of the 2013 Tour of Austria, and more recently winner
of the 2018 Czech Cycling Tour, Riccardo has a solid list of results to his name, as well as
four Grand Tour participations,” Ochowicz said.
“We are looking forward to seeing Riccardo return to the highest level in cycling and
believe we can help him get back to his best form. Riccardo’s climbing ability will be an
asset for the team, particularly at the one-week WorldTour stage races where he will add
strength to our rosters. It was a good opportunity to have Riccardo join us at team camp
to integrate with his new teammates and get the planning for the 2019 season
underway.”
Zoidl, 30, is grateful for the opportunity to join CCC Team and return to the WorldTour
level after two years at the Continental level.
“This is one of the best Christmas presents I’ve ever had. I was really surprised to get the
call and get this spot with CCC Team at the last moment. This is a chance I have to take
and I’m really motivated and thankful to get the spot on the team. I will try to show that
I deserve to be in the WorldTour again,” Zoidl said.
“In my last years in the WorldTour, I made some mistakes so I think if I move on from
that, I can be successful again, whether that is in a team role or with some personal
success. I’m just looking forward to racing at the WorldTour level again and will do
everything I can for CCC Team.”
In keeping with CCC Team policy, no other details of the contract were released.