The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team has announced that Colombian sprinter and former Team Exergy member, Carlos Eduardo Alzate Escobar, has officially joined the U.S. based Pro Continental outfit. Alzate finished 4th in the USA Cycling’s 2012 National Criterium Calendar (NCC) standings and with his arrival to the 2013 edition of the UnitedHealthcare Blue Train, he now joins the three men who finished ahead of him in last year’s standings, Hilton Clarke (AUS), and the Sandwich, Massachusetts missiles, brothers Luke and Jake Keough (USA).
Speaking about the Team’s newest addition, General Manager and Team Director, Mike Tamayo said, “We are excited about Carlos coming on board. He is the perfect fit for what we are trying to do and should slot right into the program well. Carlos brings even more power to our sprint, giving us yet another option at the finish. He is a top competitor and is one of the few riders who have been able to take advantage of our lead out and finish in the top three consistently. Our guys respect Carlos and we are glad to have him as part of our unit.”
Alzate, who will turn 30 later this month, is a decorated track and road cyclist. In 2012, he notched 16 top five finishes including 13 podium finishes and six wins while racing with Team Exergy, matching his 16 top five finishes in 2011. Throughout his career he has been a podium mainstay and has also been magnificent on the global stage, winning a silver medal in the Men’s Track Team Pursuit for his native country at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Alzate also competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
Commenting on joining his new team, Alzate said, “It is an honor to ride with the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team. I’ve raced against these guys for a while and I respect them. I know this a class act and I am proud to be a part of such a good organization. I am looking forward to racing with them as their teammate and can’t wait to get going!”
Photo Courtesy Jonathan Devich, epicimages.us
