By Monika Prell
Juan José Hernández Fernández and José Juan Sánchez Pérez, two rich Austrians, will create a new professional continental cycling team. The two friends opened in 1999 a fast food restaurant chain, called H&S, which specializes in fried chicken.
The Austrians have the idea to create a team consisting of riders who have the same name as them.
They already signed two Hernández: Aitor (Euskaltel) and Jesús (Relax); two Fernández: Bingen (Codifis) and Alberto (Saunier Duval), two Sánchez: Eladio (Fuerteventura Canarias) and Julián (Relax- Gam).
The team have also joined eight Pérez: Aitor and Fran (both Caisse d'Epargne), Luis and Luis (both Andalucía - Cajasur), Jorge and Santiago (both Relax Gam) and Rubén and Alan (both Euskaltel).
The friends are also talking to Koldo Fernández (Euskaltel) and Luis Fernández (Karpin Galicia). The leader of the team will be Luis León Sánchez (Caisse d'Epargne), who will sign a two years contract on Friday, 13th of April, and Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel Euskadi), who will make a decision after the Vuelta al País Vasco. Besides them, Koldo Fernández will be the sprint star of the new created team.
Samuel Sánchez said exclusively to Cyclingnews: "I know José Juan very well, he is only some years older than me and we went to the same college. I really would like to join his team, but I have to talk to Madariaga [his actual team manager]. After the Vuelta al País Vasco, we will meet and take a decision."
Luis León Sánchez stated to Cyclingnews: "I'm very glad about my decision, I will be a leader. At the moment I notice that I have a real great competition form and I don't feel satisfied being only a helper for Valverde."
The team, that will be named Team H&S and classificated as Professional Continental team, has already an oral promise for a wildcard at next year's Vuelta a España.A
