Team Argos-Shimano renews contract with five cyclists
Dutch Professional side, Team Argos-Shimano renewed the contract with five of its cyclists after their superb performances in the current season.
The two French cyclists, Matthieu Sprick and Yann Huguet have been retained by the team till the end of 2013. Roy Curvers, Tom Dumoulin and Bert de Backer have also agreed to stay with the side by end of 2014.
"I've noticed that I’ve been able to develop myself very well in this team," Sprick said. "I enjoy the innovative way of working and I look forward to the future. I want to discover how much I can still progress together with this team".
John Degenkolb and Marcel Kittel helped the team with numerous victories in the earlier part of the season and played an important role in its current overall position.
The team’s current performance includes the first place finish at the Japanese National Road Race Championships, which came through the strong legs of Yukihiro Doi.
Marcel Kittel bagged stages at the Etoile de Besseges, the Tour of Oman, the Three Days of De Panne, Ster ZLM Toer and a first place finish at the Scheldeprijs.
Whereas, John Degenkolb secured the first overall position at the Tour de Picardie, along with the stage 1 and a stage 3 win at the race.
The Dutch side marked its first Grand Tour appearance during the Tour de France 2009 through a wild-card invitation.
Team Argos-Shimano managed to impress the Tour de France selectors for the 2012 season and is currently seen in action at the French Grand Tour.
It is amongst the only four professional continental teams qualified for the 2012 edition of the Tour including Team Cofidis, Team Europcar and Team Saur-Sojasun.
Marcel Kittel was leading his side at the Tour de France but the cyclist had to abandon the race at the fifth stage.
“Our team has a world-class sprint train and with Marcel Kittel we have a young sprinter who in the Tour will explore his possibilities at the highest level,” Team Co-Manager Sissy van Alebeek.
Team final squad for the Tour de France include Marcel Kittel (Ger), Patrick Gretsch (Ger), Roy Curvers (Ned), Koen de Kort (Ned), Tom Veelers (Ned), Johannes Fröhlinger (Ger), Matthieu Sprick (Fra), Albert Timmer (Ned) and Yann Huguet (Fra).
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