RUBENS BERTOGLIATI

• Lugano, SUI
• Age: 33
• Professional Since 2000

Rubens Bertogliati-SUI, 33 is the backbone of Team Type 1 - Sanofi's European experience, and was instrumental in securing the overall win at the 2011 Tour of Turkey. He is a 2-time Swiss time trial champion, a Tour de France stage winner, and led the KOM competition at the Tour of Utah.

Rubens smiles like a kung-fu dervish right before he stomps the Shimanos and roars to the top of the mountain. Last year in the opening stage of the Tour of Utah, Rubens introduced the high-mountain boys to some of his own Swiss style. He pushed the throttle down and dressed himself in the Best Climber's Jersey by the end of the day, scooping up the palmares before an enormous American crowd. He's coming back this year after a winter spent mountain biking on a custom 29-er around the temperate hills of his native Lugano, stronger than ever and hungry for the challenge.

2011 HIGHLIGHTS

• 3rd St4 Tour of Utah, USA
• 4th Time Trial National Championships, SUI
• 5th St4 Presidential Tour of Turkey, TUR
• 6th St1b Settimana Coppi e Bartali, ITA
• 8th St4 Settimana Coppi e Bartali, ITA