Thor Hushovd not troubled by unmet wage demands at Garmin-Cervelo
Norwegian world champion Thor Hushovd has said his demand for higher wages were not granted by Garmin-Cervelo in the 12-month contract he signed in August.
Hushovd, who raced for the Cervelo TestTeam until the end of the current season, opted to follow some of his teammates as the outfit merged with Garmin-Transitions to form Garmin-Cervelo, but directeur sportif Jonathan Vaughters was unable
to match his wage demands when the contract was signed in August.
"No, I have not received any new offers from Garmin," the sprinter told Norwegian daily Fædrelandsvennen. "They wanted to give me a better contract, but they have no more money, they have used up their budget."
Hushovd, who won two Grand Tour stage wins this season after finishing second in the Paris–Roubaix, added that he was unfazed by the developments.
"It's just the way it is, so I'm not going to waste my time and energy to dwell on it. It's just part of the risk when signing a new contract early," said the Norwegian, who inked the deal one month prior to his triumph at the UCI Road Race
World Championships in Geelong, Australia.
Farrar and Hushovd set to share leadership
Former Garmin-Transitions rider Tyler Farrar, another world-class sprinter, will also race for Garmin-Cervelo in 2011.
Speaking ahead of flying to the Cayman Islands to meet his new squad, Hushovd said he was eager to meet his new teammate and fellow team leader.
"We need to sit down and talk about the opportunities we have. We must take advantage of the fact that we are such strong riders."
Farrar and Hushovd are set to spilt up next year's racing calendar between them in consultation with Vaughters, whose input will be valued by the pair.
"I have spoken to the sports director Jonathan Vaughters, too. We must share our thoughts and find a middle ground that fits," Hushovd said.
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