The signing of Maciej Paterski finalizes the roster of CCC Polsat, the only Polish team with UCI Pro Continental license, for an upcoming season. After an overly disappointing year, former Liquigas – Cannondale rider (2010 – 2013) decided to take a step down from the World Tour level and continue his career in a professional cycling as a significant reinforcement to the squad originating from his home soil.
"Maciej Paterski has learned from his years at World Tour level," team manager Piotr Wadecki said.
"CCC Polsat will ride many races abroad and Paterski's experience will be a valuable asset to the team. I think he will do well in the classical road races."
Sporting the last orange outfit remaining in the professional peloton, 27-year old Paterski should consider himself as one of the future leaders of CCC Polsat team. Alongside 42-year old Italian Davide Rebellin, former winner of Liege – Bastogne – Liege and the Amstel Gold Race as well as team’s most successful rider to date, who extend his contract with a team for yet another year, and the former Movistar and Quick Step rider Branislau Samoilau, who decided to return to professional cycling, Paterski should share his broad experience during numerous races in the home country and abroad.
"I must admit that I was very keen that Davide stayed with us. Last season showed how much he was needed in the team. Despite his age, he is still a classy rider. His great cycling experience, knowledge and commitment in preparing for races proved to be very helpful for all the team," Wadecki said about Rebellin, who will be the oldest rider in the pro peloton in 2014.
"With Paterski, Samoilau and the contract extension of Davide Rebellin, we can match ourselves with the best teams in both the Classics as the stage races," Wadecki said.
Although Rebellin’s major objective is to shine once more in the Ardennes Classics, Tour de Pologne wild card invitation was so far the only one granted to the Polish Pro Continental team, concerning races on a World Tour level. Despite visible efforts to develop CCC Polsat team, is seems very unlikely for this situation to change throughout the upcoming season, while they will face a fierce competition from Team Colombia, IAM Cycling, Wanty – Goubert, MTN Qhubeka, NetApp – Endura and remaining formidable rosters.
The final CCC Polsat's roster for 2014 consists of Josef Cerny, Paweł Charucki, Piotr Gawroński, Adrian Honkisz, Tomasz Kiendyś, Adrian Kurek, Jarosław Marycz, Bartłomiej Matysiak, Nikolay Mihaylov, Jacek Morajko, Mateusz Nowak, Lukasz Owsian, Maciej Paterski, Marek Rutkiewicz, Davide Rebellin, Bronislau Samoilau, Grzegorz Stępniak and Mateusz Taciak.
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