Elevate-KHS re-signed three key riders from the team`s 2018 roster, returning Canadian James Piccoli, Mexican Alfredo Rodriguez and American Sam Bassetti for 2019. The returning riders will be crucial to the US Continental team`s stated goal of being the top domestic team next year, expanding on the wins Elevate-KHS earned this season. `Last year the team finished second in both the team and individual classifications in USA Cycling´s Pro Road Tour,` said Elevate-KHS General Manager Paul Abrahams in a statement released by the team. `This year we are looking to move up a step in both categories. Re-signing these three amazing leaders will allow the Elevate-KHS Pro Cycling Team to be in the fight for victory in every event we line up for in 2019.` Rodriguez, 21, will be in his third year with the team next season. In 2018, he won the overall at the Tulsa Tough criterium omnium and also landed the team`s first-ever UCI victory at the Joe Martin Stage Race on stage 4 on Fayetteville. Next season, Rodriguez will be looking to replicate his podium performances of 2017 at the UCI 2.HC Tour of Utah and Colorado Classic.ADVERTISEMENT `I am looking to redeem myself in 2019 after a difficult end to the season this past year,` said Rodriguez, whose 2018 season ended with a DNF on stage 1 in Utah. `I am working harder than ever to reach the top step of the podium in the bigger UCI races like Utah and Taiwan.` Piccoli, 27, recently won two stages at the Tour of Southland in New Zealand, but the highlight of his 2018 season was the overall win at the Tour de Beauce, a historic victory for the Canadian in his home province of Quebec. `Winning the Tour de Beauce, and competing in two WorldTour events in Montreal and Quebec, has shown that I can compete in the WorldTour,` Piccoli said. `I am eagerly looking forward to proving next year that I belong at the highest level of the sport.`
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