Three time world champion Freire to debut with Katusha Down Under

 Three-time world champion Oscar Freire will lead the Russian registered Team Katusha in the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under.

Santos Tour Down Under Race Director Mike Turtur said he was excited Freire would be taking part in the 2012 race.

"Spaniard Oscar Freire has accomplished what only legends like Alfredo Binda, Eddy Merckx and Rik Van Steenbergen have been able to do: win three road race world championships (1999, 2001, 2004). His other impressive results include winning the Milan - San Remo three times (2004, 2007 and 2010) as well as several Grand Tour stages.

"In addition, Freire is a four time Tour de France stage winner, a winner of the Tour de France Green Jersey (2008) and a winner of seven stages of Vuelta a Espana.

"Oscar is one of the most impressive riders of the last decade and it will be really exciting for fans to see him take to the start line and for him to bring his competitive edge to the race," Turtur said.

Team Katusha's strong line-up will also include fellow Spaniard Xavier Florencio who finished seventh overall in the 2003 Tour Down Under. Also part of the Katusha Team will be previous Santos Tour Down Under Stage Winner Giampaolo Caruso who won stage 5 in 2003 when riding for ONCE-Eroski. Eduard Vorganov will be a rider to watch, finishing seventh overall in the general classification of the 2010 Santos Tour Down Under.

Luca Paolini, a Vuelta a Espana stage winner, who took honours on stage 12 in the 2006 event, will compliment the experience of Freire on Grand Tour races and will guide the younger team members.

"Completing Team Katusha will be promising young cyclists Belkov, Smukulis and Vorganov," Turtur said

Team Katusha's team for the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under will be led by Team Manager Dmitriy Konychev (RUS) and include riders:

• Maxim Belkov (RUS)

• Giampaolo Caruso (ITA)

• Xavier Florencio (ESP)

• Oscar Freire (ESP)

• Luca Paolini (ITA)

• Gatis Smukulis (LAT)

• Eduard Vorganov (RUS)