Italian sprinter takes leap from Petacchi's lead-out train
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Alberto Ongarato (Milram) finished the day in 8th(Image credit: Luc Claessen)
Petacchi and Ongarato after the winning day.(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Alberto Ongarato (Fassa Bortolo) taking over the train(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Italian rider Alberto Ongarato will join Vacansoleil in 2010 after he signed a two-year deal with Dutch Pro Continental team. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported that the 34-year-old sprinter will leave LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini after one year with the Italian team.
The move to Vacansoleil is likely to give Ongarato more independence to pursue his own goals. While he has ridden as one of Alessandro Petacchi's key lead-out men since 2004, he will now join Borut Bozic and fellow transfer, Romain Feillu, in Vancansoleil's increasingly potent sprint attack.
Ongarato began his professional career at Alessio-Banca SMG in 2000. He joined Domina Vacanze-Elitron in 2003 where he rode for Mario Cipollini, before he was recruited to Petacchi's lead-out train at Fassa Bortolo in 2004. Ongarato followed Petacchi to Milram in 2006 and subsequently to LPR Brakes for 2009.
Ongarato's most successful season came in 2005, where he took a stage win at each of the Tour of Luxembourg and Tour de la Région Wallonne.
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