Dutch team secures young talent for the future
The Skil-Shimano has decided to extend Frenchman Steve Houanard’s contract for an additional two seasons. The 24-year-old, who hails from Chambéry, is currently riding in his second season for the Dutch Pro Continental formation, and the deal will now keep him on the team until the end of 2012.
Houanard has made steady progress since coming on board with the team as a stagiare in August of 2008. At the end of his trial he had earned a two-year contract with the team. The following year saw the young Frenchman take his best result at Delta Tour Zeeland with a top ten placing.
This season saw the young rider begin to come into his own with strong rides in the Flemish spring Classics. He then followed up his early season with several top ten finishes in sprint finishes at both the Tour de Luxembourg and Bayern Rundfahrt, with a fourth and third in stages respectively.