Aune moves to Menikini Gysko team

By Tomas Nilsson

After some uncertainty, last year's Swedish revelation in the women's peloton, Karin Aune, leaves Michela Fanini Record Rox for Menikini Gysko.

Aune had a strong early season last year with a stage win and sixth overall placing in the Tour of Poland (Dookola Polski). After a strong ride in the women's Giro d'Italia, she made the mistake of not getting enough rest and finished the season with mixed results.

"I hope that this season will be better than the last [one], which was my first as a pro. It will be fun and exciting to ride for a top team," she said.

Aune's cycling career started late when she rode the 310 kilometer touring ride Vätternrundan in 2002 and was the fastest of all female starters. She then decided to race. After three seasons, she took a break from her PhD studies in the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science at the University of Umeå, where she is researching viability models for forest cryptogams. Her research relates to the risk of extinction for some fungi which live on dead wood. Prior to cycling, Aune competed in division one volleyball and cross country skiing. But now 32, she's fully committed to cycling.

Menikini Gysko, formerly Nobili Rubinetterie-Menikini-Cogeas, is the highest ranked team in Italy. Aune joins Australians Rochelle Gilmore and Olivia Gollan, four time Giro winner Fabiana Luperini, Japanese champion Miho Oki, Danish racer Dorte Lohse Rasmussen , Spain's Eneritz Iturriagaechevarria Mazag , France's Elodie Touffet, and Italians Carmela Massaro, Milena Pirola, Marina Romoli, Silvia Valsecchi and Sigrid Corneo.

The team’s first training camp will be held February 6-13.

A complete team listing can be found on Cyclingnews' teams database.