The Skil-Shimano Team started its preseason training this week in Majorca. Most of its riders are readying for the Tour of Qatar beginning January 27. Ten new riders are learning their way at the Dutch Professional Continental Team including Dutchmen Tom Veelers and Roy Curvers; Germans Sebastian Siedler and Robert Wagner, Frenchman Thierry Hupond, Japanese Fumiyuki Beppu, Yoshiniro Iino, Shinri Suzuki and Yusuke Hatanake and Chinese Ji Jianhua.
As in previous years, Skil-Shimano is split into a European and an Asian arm this season. A select number of riders from Japan and China will ride with the European squad. The Japanese riders will prepare for qualification for the Beijing, Olympics. During the main season, the team will race in Europe, China and Japan.
