Marta Tagliaferro and Lucy van der Haar (Garner) will also race for Team Hitec Products – Birk Sport in 2020. The Italian rider and British rider have renewed their contract with the team. Both sprinters joined the team in 2019 and have had a succesfull season so far, being involved in several victories for the team. Tagliaferro even won two times herself, the Omloop van de IJsseldelta (UCI 1.2) and the first stage in the Tour de Feminin (UCI 2.2).
“We signed both Marta and Lucy before this season after some years in which they had a different role in their teams”, says Tone Hatteland Lima, sports director at Team Hitec Products – Birk Sport. “We did that because we had faith in them. In advance you never know if something works, but we now do know that it was a good decision to add them to the team. I am really happy that we could re-sign Lucy and Marta for the 2020 season.”
The role of Tagliaferro and Van der Haar is an important one. Hatteland Lima: “Marta and Lucy have a lot of experience and this season they showed us that they can help our younger riders with that. But that is not the only thing. Marta and Lucy both grew their confidence during this season and with that they are able to get good results. We saw that in several races and Marta even got two victories. That’s how we see their role; being important for the young riders and the team spirit, but also to be able to finish a race with a win.”
(Text goes further below the picture)
Both Marta and Lucy gave their reaction too:
Marta Tagliaferro
“I’m really happy to re-sign with Team Hitec Products – Birk Sport, because I felt important for the team from the first moment I wore the jersey. I liked how much the young mates followed my advice and how much they grew during this season. In the past I never had the responsibility to take decisions during races and maybe sometimes I was lucky when I took a right decision, but this year it wasn’t only luck. The trust of the team helped me to get the results. I enjoyed every single race and I hope it will continue like that for the rest of the year. I am a happy ‘oldie’ rider, with a feeling as if I am riding my bike for the first time.”
Lucy van der Haar
“I’m really happy with the opportunity, trust and belief that the team has given me this year. I really feel like I have made a big step not only in my training but also my racing and that’s thanks to the race opportunities I am given and also the trust in the races to be able to try and get a result for the team. lost confidence a bit the last few years but I really feel like I’ve found my feet again in races and can’t wait to see what the 2020 season brings because I’m motivated more than ever to try and get the best results possible out of myself but also the team.”
Photo’s: Sportfoto.nl – Top photo Marta left and Lucy on the right