Gazprom – RusVelo has reinforced the team with the new signing of the young talented rider Nikolay Cherkasov. This season Nikolay is competing for the U23 squad of Gazprom – RusVelo. The two-year agreement will come into force in January 2018. Evgeny Shalunov also got an extended contract until the end of 2019.
“We have already started to form the team roster for the season 2018. Having ten recently signed contracts for 2017-2018, two more have just been completed. Evgeny Shalunov has already raced in Gazprom – RusVelo jersey for two seasons and obtained the place in the team for the next two years. I am confident that Evgeny, who already debuted in the Italian GT this season, is going to improve and clinch podiums in the future.
Our newcomer Nikolay Cherkasov is to join the team in January 2018. He is our rider from the development team. We are on the path of reinforcing the squad with the younger generations. Nikolay is an up-and-coming athlete with the main specialization on the long steep climbs. This season he proved to be a stable rider on the stage-races with quick recovery abilities. In the next two years Nikolay is to adapt to the life of a professional sportsman and integrate into the squad.
Before signing these contracts several meetings with the participation of all the sports directors were held. We discussed changes and set the new goals for the upcoming seasons. In essence, the team will be significantly rejuvenated and consist of 18-19 riders, the geography of the racing calendar is also to be reviewed. Moreover, we will improve our work with the youth and might add a small group of juniors to the existing development team,” – explained the general manager of Gazprom – RusVelo Renat Khamidulin.
