Lampre-Merida said Copeland will be “responsible for the management and organization of the team, both the staff and riders working in close contact with the sport directors for the sporting area, the medical staff and responsible for the training, logistics and race program.”
Copeland was a full-time and part-time directeur sportif with Lampre between 1999 and 2009 before working with MotoGP pilot Ben Spies for three years. He returned to cycling as European manager of the MTN-Qhubeka team for 2013, helping the South African step up to the Professional Continental ranks this year but left after disagreements about the management of the team.
Giuseppe Saronni will stay with the team “focusing on the research and management of financial backers, sponsors and partners for the team.”
Immediate start
Copeland will begin his new role immediately, working with head coach Michele Bartoli and the technical staff to plan and prepare for the 2014 season.
“The request of taking on the role of team manager makes me proud: Lampre has always been my Italian family, they welcomed me fifteen years ago, there has always been a special bond with the blue-fuchsia colors,” Copeland said in a statement from the team.
“The decision to accept this responsibility was easy, even if it was not based only on sentimental reasons. In fact, I appreciate being asked to be involved in the internationalization and the evolution of the team, an evolution which works towards finding the perfect balance of professionalism and organisation in the modern world of cycling. I’m ready and determined to help this transition and I know I can rely on a group of excellent people that are professional in each one of their areas of excellence.”
“This will be a team effort starting from a good level of ability and experience, so we can broaden our international dimension and also ensure that young riders are a fundamental resource for our future”