The Katusha team wants a more international profile in 2016 in order to attract new fans. The Russian WorldTour team hope to erase their reputation as a "closed" unapproachable team. Interviewed by Cyclingnews, general manager Viatcheslav Ekimov explained the decision.
"We have respect in the worldwide peloton but what we need is more identity", he explained. "From next year we’re going to change the conception a little, we’re going to be unique, get more sponsors and become a more international team." The policy of preferential treatment for Russian riders is now over.
Katusha signed three international riders: Belgian Jurgen Van den Broeck. German Nils Politt and Colombian Jhonatan Restrepo. In the 2016 squad, there will be 14 Russians and 14 international riders on the team. Alexander Kristoff and Joaquim Rodriguez remain as team leaders for 2016. "We’re not a sexy team. Everybody is afraid of the Russians but there is really no need because they are nice guys…but they have the kind of image that the East Europe guys are a bit closed."
The re-designed Katusha jersey will be unveiled at the team’s pre-season launch on 12 December in Calpe, Spain.
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