Three more years with American team for Paris-Roubaix winner
Johan Vansummeren (Garmin-Cervélo) has signed a new three-year deal with the American team, which will take him through to the end of 2014. The winner of this year’s Paris-Roubaix has been with Garmin-Cervélo since 2010, having spent the previous five years with Silence-Lotto (now Omega Pharma-Lotto).
“I’m very happy [team director Jonathan Vaughters] offered me a new contract,” he said. “For me this has been an easy decision because I really wanted to stay with Garmin-Cervélo. I love it here – with the atmosphere and the way the team is working, I just like coming to the races.”
Earlier the Belgian cofirmed to Belgian TV channel Sporza that he had agreed terms with the team.
“I have to sign my contract yet, but we have an oral agreement. We have found each other quite quickly,” he said. “Garmin’s offer was very correct and took into account my victory in Paris-Roubaix. They’ve offered me three years, which in cycling today is a big plus.”
Vansummeren is known as one of the hardest working domestiques in the peloton, which accounts for his relatively small list of personal victories. During his time at Silence-Lotto he was cold be seen riding hard for then team leader Cadel Evans in the Tour de France.
“Johan has always been one of the best riders in the world – a rider who has worked tirelessly and most often for others, throughout his career,” said Vaughters. “That’s what made victory at Paris-Roubaix so special. We are thrilled that he will continue to ride with Garmin-Cervélo. He’s one of the best riders – on the cobbles and off – we could ask for.”
Before this season, his biggest victory had been the overall Tour of Poland in 2007. It was while riding as a teammate to World Champion Thor Hushovd in Paris-Roubaix this season though, when the breakaway he was in stayed away and he was able to take a solo win in the famous vélodrome. His victory in l’Enfer du Nord was not entirely unexpected however, having finished fifth in 2009 and eighth in 2008.
After a successful Classics season, Vansummeren now hopes to ride in next month’s Tour de France. Since team manager Jonathan Vaughters has not announced the Garmin-Cervélo line up for the race though, he is still awaiting the news.
“I’m one of the ten names up for the nine places,” he told Sporza. “The decision is Friday.”