Barredo signs for Rabo Bank
Rabobank's general manager, Erik Breukink, has said that his team's roster for 2011 is nearly complete after landing a two-year deal with Spanish rider Carlos Barredo.
Breukink said that Barredo, who currently rides for Quick Step, will play a crucial role in supporting Rabo Bank's general classification contenders at the Grand Tours next season.
“We were looking for a bit more balance in the team and in particular somebody who could play an important support role in the Grand Tours, Barredo was the ideal candidate,” Breukink said upon announcing the deal. “He has shown enough times that in the big mountain stages he will last with the leaders.”
Stage 15 win at this year's Vuelta
The Spaniard claimed his first stage win in the Vuelta a Espana on Sunday, summoning all his energy to defend his lead from several challenges on the climb up to Lagos de Covadonga.
The Quick Step rider finished one minute and seven seconds ahead of the runner-up, Cofidis' Nico Sijmens of Belgium.
“He is not a man to challenge for the classification in the big toursm, but he can support the leader and when he gets a little more freedom he can also take his chance, like at Lagos de Covadonga."
Barredo, 29, has raced with Quick Step since 2007. His greatest successes for the team have included a stage win in the 2008 edition of Paris–Nice. In the same year, he finished second in Stage 18 of the Tour de France, while he won the Clasica de San Sebastian in 2009.
Rabobank's final signing?
Breukink added that Barredo is likely to be Rabo Bank's last signing for next season. Matti Breschel, Theo Bos, Luis Leon Sanchez, Michael Matthews and Maarten Wynants have signed for Breukink's outfit for 2011.
In addition, Dutch pair Tom Slagter and Coen Vermeltfoort have been promoted from the Rabo Bank Continental Team.
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