Hushovd confirms Garmin-Cervelo switch
Norwegian sprint specialist Thor Hushovd has said that he will join Team Garmin-Cervelo for the 2011 season.
“I’m proud to join Team Garmin-Cervélo in 2011. Cervélo has been a great supporter for the past two years and its partnership with Garmin feels like a good fit,” Hushovd said about the transfer.
The 32-year-old, who currently rides for the Cervelo Test Team, said that Garmin-Cervelo's focus on the one-day classics is well-suited to his own ambitions.
"I have signed because they are focusing very much on the classics next year, and that's a big goal for me."
Could support Farrar in sprints
Hushovd has previously won two classics races, the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2009 and Gent-Wevelgem in 2006.
Known as an explosive sprinter, Hushovd has claimed the points classifciation of the Tour de France twice, once in 2006 for Credit Agricole and with Cervelo Test Team last year. He finished third in the points classification category of this year's Tour.
In 2006, Hushovd won the points classification in the Vuelta a Espana.
While Hushovd's personal goal will be to perform well in the 2011 classics, his sprinting prowess will be benefitial to his Garmin-Cervelo teammates.
In particular, Hsuhovd could provide crucial support for the team's star sprinter Tyler Farrar during next year's Grand Tours.
Joins Jonathan Vaughters at Garmin-Cervelo
Hushovd also said that the prospect of working with Garmin-Cervelo's sports director, Jonathan Vaughters, affected his decision to join the team.
“I chose Garmin-Cervélo because I have a lot of respect for what Jonathan Vaughters has done for cycling, because I think we’ll have a very strong, competitive team, and because I’ll be able to continue to work with Cervélo. I look forward to seeing what we can all do together next year.”
Vaughters retired as a cyclist in 2001 after spending two seasons with Credit Agricole alongside a younger Hushovd.
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