Spanish development team Equipo Lizarte will include on its 2021 roster its first-ever Asian rider on its 28 years of history. Taiwan’s Sergio Tu is joining the Asociación Deportiva Galibier amateur outfit from its professional squad Equipo Kern Pharma, which will become UCI ProTeam next year.
Sergio Tu (1997; resident in Taiwan, although born in the Dominican Republic) became part of Equipo Kern Pharma in 2020 after four years in different UCI Continental development teams: Giant Scatto (2016-17), Sunweb (2018) and CCC (2019).
Tu could only race with Equipo Kern Pharma in two French races at the beginning of the season, as the global health crisis prevented him from travelling back to Europe when racing resumed in July. He was able to finish up his season in style, though, by claiming the Taiwan National ITT Championships and being 4th in the road race.
The experiences collected over his five seasons in the UCI ranks encouraged Sergio Tu to look for a different path for his development, other than stepping up to the UCI ProTeam category along with Equipo Kern Pharma.
“This is a beautiful sport, and a very realistic one,” says Sergio Tu. “I’m not ready yet to race in a UCI ProTeam. I need some more time, and to keep working in order to develop my strengths.”
“When [Team Manager] Juanjo Oroz suggested me to step down to Equipo Kern Pharma’s feeder team, Equipo Lizarte, I took some days to consider the proposal and decided to accept it. I am sure this is the right step for me in order to become a better rider and turn pro later, when I’m ready to take on the challenge.”
“Rider development is a very serious matter, and we can’t skip any steps on this process,” says Equipo Kern Pharma’s and Equipo Lizarte’s Team Manager, Juanjo Oroz. “We think this is the best decision for Sergio Tu’s future as a rider. The Spanish amateur racing scene suits his current sporting level and is the best scenario for him to evolve.”
“We think 2021 will be Sergio Tu’s best season on the bike. He is going to enjoy a busy racing schedule with quality events and gather experiences he hasn’t been able to grasp in the UCI ranks. In order to develop his talent, a rider needs to attack, to suffer, to get dropped, to pull at the front of the bunch, and to have realistic goals. Sergio will have such goals at Equipo Lizarte, and that will nurture his career for the best.”
