Italian marathon champion Mirko Celestino will lead a new international mountain bike team, Semperlux Axevo Haibike, for the 2010 season. The team also counts Oscar Lazzaroni and Andrea Giupponi among its leaders.
Celestino has raced for Polti, Saeco, Domina Vacanze and Milram as a pro roadie. He won the Giro di Lombardia in 1999 and the Milano-Torino twice (2001, 2003).
The team was the brainchild of Semperlux owners Cristian and Denis Lunghi. Denis is a former professional road racer with Team Polti, Colpack and Alessio. He won the 12th stage of the Giro d'Italia in 2002 before physical issues forced him to retire in 2004.
Semperlux Axevo Haibike's riders will race bikes from Italian manufacturer Haibike.
Semperlux Axevo Haibike for 2010
Mirko Celestino
Oscar Lazzaroni
Andrea Giupponi
Peter Bortolotti
Cornaro Nevio
Maurice Erca
Daniel Falconi