Team Qhubeka ASSOS has confirmed that Gabriele Missaglia and Aart Vierhouten will take on Directeur Sportif roles for the upcoming pro cycling season, and in the process complete the makeup of the performance team.
Former professional, Gabriele Missaglia (50), rode for 14 years and then made a switch to the car in the role of Sports Director. His riding career included stage wins at Pais Vasco, the Giro d’Italia, Tour de Suisse, Volta Catalunya, Grand Prix Hamburgo World Cup, the Tour de Langkawi GC, Tour of Quinghai Lake GC as well as placing third at the Amstel Gold Race in 1999.
His most recent role saw him spend nine years with the CCC team playing a key part in the development phase of the team right up to WorldTour level.
Aart Vierhouten (50) brings a unique skill set that includes the role of Sports Director as well as being a coach.
A prominent career on the road for the Dutchman with among others Rabobank, Skil-Shimano and Lotto, saw him feature as a lead-out man for Robbie McEwen for a large portion of his time as a pro racer.
A release from Team Qhubeka ASSOS noted that… ‘His role as road captain at the Spring Classics as well as multiple participations at all the Grand Tours are testament to his leadership abilities that will be crucially important to our goals in 2021.’
Gabriele Missaglia said “For me, working with Team Qhubeka Assos will be fantastic, and I’m so grateful for this new opportunity. I want to express my thanks to Doug and all of the team management.
“I look forward to finding a new family with whom to share many beautiful things in a project that I believe in. I’m sure we’ll be the surprise team next season. Of course, experience tells me that there will be difficult moments; but I’m prepared and ready for anything.”
Aart Vierhouten said “I am really looking forward to being on the road again and to help young sportsmen to fulfil their dreams, even through the tough times with Team Qhubeka ASSOS.
“I am excited to share my experience as a former race captain with the aim; to build a strong, committed team where passion and ‘Go-For-It’ are the keywords. Together with the Qhubeka Charity, we also have a story to tell. I would like to contribute to this 100%.”
Team Qhubeka ASSOS, formerly NTT Pro Cycling, was originally founded in 2007 and became the first-ever African cycling team to gain a UCI WorldTour license, in 2016.
