Haussler happy with Garmin-Cervelo switch
German-Australian rider Heinrich Haussler has said he is excited for his current Cervelo Test Team to merge with Garmin-Transitions and form a new outfit, Garmin-Cervelo, for the 2011 season.
On Monday, it was announced that Cervelo Test Team's star sprinter Thor Hushovd would join Garmin-Cervelo for the 2011 season.
The Norwegian, who has two wins in the points classification of the Tour de France, also hinted that several of his current teammates would make the same switch.
His prediction has now rung true, as Cervelo Test Team riders Haussler, Roger Hammond, Andreas Kliew, Brett Lancaster, Gabriel Rash and Daniel Lloyd have all been confirmed for Garmin-Cervelo.
Haussler, who is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered in June, told Cyclingnews he was excited about the new formation.
“Most of the classics group is still together and next year we can do some real damage,” he said, before admitting that he was sad to see the end of the Cervelo Test Team.
“It's a shame that such a good team has already come to an end, but teams come and go. It wasn't expected.”
Aims for classics with Garmin-Cervelo
The German has proven a strong sprinter on the UCI ProTour over the years, but given that both Hushovd and current Garmin-Transitions sprinter Tyler Farrar will race for Garmin-Cervelo next season, Haussler's focus will shift to the classics.
“There are no problems expected with Tyler, not at all. He's an easy guy to get along with. At this stage in my life, I realise that I'm not really one for the sprints. I might go for the green jersey at the Tour, but the classics are really my main goal.”
Haussler came second in this year's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, a classics event that he won in 2009. That year, he also claimed the Paris–Roubaix race in the classics category.
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