Sprint train worker set to remain at Dutch team through 2015
Tom Leezer has extended his contract with Belkin Pro Cycling for another two years, the Dutch team has announced. The 27-year-old has spent his entire professional career with the team, having joined what was Rabobank in 2008, having spent three seasons with its eponymous under-23 Continental team, and will wear the green, black and white jersey at least until the end of 2015.
“I’m very happy I get to wear the Belkin colours for two more years,” Leezer said. “I feel good here. This is the best place for me to get the maximum out of myself.”
Leezer has spent virtually all of his career in the service of others, and has become a vital part of the lead out train of former track World champion Theo Bos. He finally took his maiden professional victory at the Tour de Langkawi in February, as he took his chance in the race’s one flat stage not to finish in a bunch sprint, escaping the rest of the breakaway in monsoon conditions on the sixth stage into Kuantan.
Despite this taste of glory, however, Leezer is happy to continue his domestique role.
“I hope to develop myself as road captain,” he added. “As a part of the sprint train, I’d like to help Theo Bos enjoy success at the highest level. This year, I completed my first Tour de France and I’m looking to become a familiar face in the Tour squad. The ultimate dream is to pull the sprint for Theo in Paris. Another goal is improving myself in the classics.”
With Tour Down Under winner Tom-Jelter Slagter off to Garmin-Sharp, and the sprint train set to lose both Mark Renshaw – who is set to rejoin former teammate Mark Cavendish at Omega Pharma-Quick Step – and the experienced Graeme Brown – who is reportedly also departing the team he has ridden for since 2006 – the team is pleased to have retained the services of Leezer for the next two years.
“Tom is an all-round rider,” said team manager Nico Verhoeven. “He’s strong in stage races and knows what’s needed in a classic. He’s a strong helper and an important part of the sprint train. Tom did his first Tour de France this year and many were surprised he made the team, but we now know what Tom is capable of, which he proved to everybody in France.”