Bernucci to T-Mobile

Fassa Bortolo rider Lorenzo Bernucci has signed a two-year deal with T-Mobile, the team has announced.

"Lorenzo Bernucci is a young rider with huge potential," said T-Mobile team manager Olaf Ludwig in the announcement. Describing the 25-year-old Italian as a good team worker able to "be a strong factor" in both the classics and the grand tours, Ludwig said, "Lorenzo has what it takes to race for victory at the demanding Belgian classics. He will get his chance."

Bernucci's biggest pro success to date was his victory in stage six of the Tour de France in Nancy, where he edged out T-Mobile's Alexandre Vinokourov to take the win. And while he now wants to "build on this success", Bernucci says he is also happy to fulfill the role of a team worker. "To me, assisting the top riders and carrying the water bottles for them, is a fun thing - and it's my job," he said.