Leopard s.a., the owner of the Radioshack Nissan Trek WorldTour Cycling Team, is proud to announce the launch of its Continental Team, named Leopard Trek. The Team will be led by Team Director Adriano Baffi.

“The Continental Team is aimed at promoting and developing Luxembourgish Cycling in the world”, says Flavio Becca. “Since Fränk and Andy Schleck conquered their place in cycling’s top tier and the Grand Duchy witnessed the birth of the 2011 LEOPARD TREK WorldTour Team, the popularity of cycling has grown to immense proportions. It shouldn’t be a surprise that we want to build for the future. With this Team we are able to structurally search for talent and provide experience and training to young and promising athletes.”

The Leopard Trek roster for 2012 will be the following: Eugenio Alafaci (ITA), Giorgio Brambilla (ITA), Jesus Ezquerra (SPA), Oliver Hofstetter (SUI), Bob Jungels (LUX), Julian Kern (GER), Alex Kirsch (LUX), Alexandr Pliuschin (MOL), Pit Schlechter (LUX), Fabio Silvestre (POR) and Joel Zangerle (LUX).

“The Team consists of a majority of U23 riders”, says Adriano Baffi, who acknowledges that there will be an important role for Alexandr Pliuschin and Bob Jungels, the 2010 Junior World Time Trial Champion. “Bob and Alexandr are absolute bright prospects and I am really looking forward to working closely with them. Alexandr will be our road captain: he is an all-rounder and has some experience already. Bob, from his side, will be able to grow in terms of endurance and experience.”

“The Team will concentrate on one single race program,” says Baffi. “I would like to see every rider race between 60 and 70 days per season, which would be an ideal learning experience for each one of them.”