Sweden's Susanne Ljungskog, 32, on her way to claiming victory in the Tour de Berne (Image credit: WomensCycling.net)
Double world champion Susanne Ljungskog will join a reinforced MTN Energade women's team for 2010, the squad announced. The Swede and Danish racer Trine Schmidt come to the team from Team Flexpoint, which will not continue next year. South Africans Robyn De Groot and An-li Pretorius are also new to the squad.
Ljungskog told the Göteborgs-Posten that she would continue to reside in Göteborgs, but will attend the team's camp in Johannesburg at the start of 2010 for a month. The four-time Olympian has suffered from a medical condition called hemachromatosis, an unhealthy accumulation of iron in the blood, but now has her condition under control and is back to full strength.
"I feel much better, my iron levels have gone down and I can train properly. It feels great."
Continuing with the the team is South African Carla Swart, a US Collegiate champion in track, road, cyclo-cross and mountain bike and winner of the Tour of the Gila criterium this year.
"We have a clear development pathway for our athletes that include world-class scientific training, international mentorship, and competition. The signing of Susanne and Trine to our team is the most exciting news in the history of women's cycling in Africa. We look forward to taking our South African talent to the next level in 2010 Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and on to London 2012." said Dr Carol Austin of Activeworx, Team MTN's coach.
MTN Energade for 2010 Marissa van der Merwe, 32 Carla Swart, 22 Chrissie Viljoen, 32 Mariske Strauss, 19 Robyn de Groot, 27 An-li Pretorius, 22 Lylanie Lauwrens, 26 Susanne Ljunkskog, Sweden, 34 Trine Schmidt, Denmark, 21
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Laura Weislo is a Cyclingnews veteran of 20 years. Having joined in 2006, Laura extensively covered the Operacion Puerto doping scandal, the years-long conflict between the UCI and the Tour de France organisers ASO over the creation of the WorldTour, and the downfall of Lance Armstrong and his lifetime ban for doping. As Managing Editor, Laura coordinates coverage for North American events and global news.
