Equipo Kern Pharma has finalised its recruitment for the upcoming season. The new Spanish UCI ProTeam has closed out its 2021 roster by promoting the young Catalan rouleur Álex Jaime from its feeder team, Equipo Lizarte.
Along with Álex Jaime, two other riders step up to the pro ranks from Equipo Lizarte: U23 Spanish Cup winner Jordi López and U23 Spanish ITT Champion Raúl García Pierna. Another five promising cyclists join Equipo Kern Pharma from different teams: Diego López Fuentes (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Carlos García Pierna (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA amateur), Czech Republic’s Vojtěch Řepa (Topforex-Lapierre), Russia’s Savva Novikov (CCC Development Team), and Netherland’s Danny van der Tuuk (Metec-TKH).
On top of these signings, Equipo Kern Pharma has extended the contracts with 12 out of the 14 riders that made part of the team during its maiden season in the UCI ranks as a Continental outfit.
Álex Jaime (1998, Sarrià de Ter) joined Equipo Lizarte after becoming Spanish national champion as a junior rider. During his spell in the pink squad, he turned himself into a devoted teammate, delivering excellent performances in supporting roles.
“We are proud we can offer Álex Jaime the chance he deserves,” says Juanjo Oroz, Team Manager for both Equipo Lizarte and Equipo Kern Pharma. “He has worked very hard over these four seasons as an U23. His finest displays have come when he was in service of others.”
“We needed someone of his sporting profile at Equipo Kern Pharma. He is skilled on the bike, powerful in the flat, efficient against the wind, and smart inside the bunch. He is an ace at many intangible factors that are key in the pro ranks.”
“I enjoy performing the duties of a domestique,” says Álex Jaime. “I made it to the U23 ranks as a sprinter, but soon I decided to evolve into an all-rounder to later enjoy working hard for my teammates. I like the feeling of pulling in the front of the bunch, hurting the legs of our rivals, and later see my teammates are thankful for my work.”
“I’m confident I’m ready to turn pro. Of course I’ll need some time to settle into this new bunch, but I hope it won’t be long until I can be a factor in a pro race. Sharing a team with many friends I’ve made during these years at Equipo Lizarte will be of great help. I think Equipo Kern Pharma is the right team for me to thrive and become the best rider I can be.”
Equipo Kern Pharma – 2021 Roster
Roger Adrià (18/04/1998, Barcelona)
Jon Agirre (10/09/1997, Zumaia)
Sergio Araiz (29/04/1998, Ayegui)
Urko Berrade (28/11/1997, Pamplona)
Jaime Castrillo (13/03/1996, Jaca)
Kiko Galván (01/12/1997, Lliça d’Amunt)
Carlos García Pierna (23/07/1999, Tres Cantos)
Raúl García Pierna (23/02/2001, Tres Cantos)
Álex Jaime (29/09/1998, Sarrià de Ter)
Jordi López (14/08/1998, Badalona)
Diego López Fuentes (09/12/1997, Ayegui)
Martí Márquez (09/02/1996, Llinars del Vallès)
Daniel Méndez (02/06/2000, Bogotá)
Iván Moreno (27/05/1996, Castellón)
Savva Novikov (27/07/1999, Tula)
José Félix Parra (16/01/1997, Ossa de Montiel)
Vojtěch Řepa (14/08/2000, Velká Bíteš)
Ibon Ruiz (30/01/1999, Vitoria)
Enrique Sanz (11/09/1989, Orkoien)
Danny van der Tuuk (05/11/1999, Assen)
