Climber Juan Manuel Garate’s contract with the Rabobank team has been extended through 2011. Earlier this season the Spaniard saved what would have been a dismal Tour de France for the team by winning the penultimate stage finishing atop the legendary Mont Ventoux. Although his contract wasn’t due to run out for another year, the Dutch team was so pleased with his performance during his first year with the team they wanted to make sure they kept him amongst their ranks for the long term.
Rabobank has also extended Russian Dmitriy Kozontchuk’s contract with the team for another year.
Rabobank’s three-time road world champion Oscar Freire has announced that he will retire at the end of 2010. He will go for his fourth world championship title in Mendrisio, Switzerland at the end of the month.