Team Cannondale Completes 2014 Roster
Team Cannondale today announced it has completed its roster for the 2014 professional cycling season with the signing of French rider Jean-Marc Marino. Remarkably, 30 year-old Marino is the team's first French rider.
Born in 1983 in Castres, at the foot of the French Pyrenees, Marino is an experienced domestique who has spent his career to date with a number of French teams. Marino turned professional in 2006 and joined Team Credit Agricole. After three seasons with the team, he moved to Sojasun, but the Sojasun team was shut down at the end of 2013, which left Marino without an employer for 2014.
Marino has completed three grand tours during his eight-year career - two Tour de France (2012 and 2013) and one edition of the Vuelta a Espana (2007). As a strong all-rounder, Marino will use his skills to support other team members in various races, including supporting the team's leaders. Marino will also work to share his experience with the team's many younger riders.
"I'm really excited to start this new experience with Cannondale Pro Cycling," Marino told RoadCycling.com. "I'm grateful to the team for offering me this opportunity. Since the folding of Sojasun, I've been waiting for the chance to compete at the highest level of cycling. Cannondale Pro Cycling is great team, with strong leaders and promising talents. I'll be one of the oldest riders of the group, but I plan to share my knowledge of the sport with the rest of the team."
"When I talked to Marino for the first time I really appreciated how eager he was to wear the Cannondale Pro Cycling jersey," Cannondale Team Manager Roberto Amadio explained and added "Our 2014 squad has many young riders. We wanted to complete the roster adding a member able to ensure know-how and team spirit. Marino has the right characteristics for our team: passion for cycling, devotion to duty and willingness to do well."
Jean-Marc Marino is the 28th rider of 2014 roster. He will join Cannondale Pro Cycling and its coaching staff at the team training camp scheduled in Tuscany, Italy during the second half of January. Marino will make his racing debut at Roma Maxima in March.
