CSF Group-Navigare to ride with Zen in '09

Enrico Zen has signed with CSF Group-Navigare for next season, with the youngster hopeful of winning a Grand Tour stage for the Italian squad. The Team Filmop Ramonda Bottoli rider has signed a two-year agreement with the Ireland-registered Professional Continental outfit.

"It is a great, I mean, my first professional deal," Zen said. "Now I have to show my qualities, but firstly I want to thank Rossato and the team for having brought me upon the professional category. Every rider wants to ride with the biggest team, but the CSF Group-Navigare is a group where I can find a familiar environment and some friends as my former teammates. My dream is a stage-win in Giro d'Italia."

Zen has claimed victories at the Giro Valli Aretine-GP Città di Arezzo and Giro delle Pesche Nettarine so far this year. He also finished fourth in Trofeo Banca Popolare di Vicenza.

"Enrico is a climber who improved so much during these four years; he showed some good qualities during the international races, too," said CSF Group-Navigare's Mirko Rossato. "Our team continues the collaboration with the Reverberi family: after Bongiorno, Maximiliano Richeze, Savini, Tomei, Finetto, now it's Zen's turn. I rode with Reverberi and I know that 'my' guys will find the best team for them."