Aerts, Kaisen continue with Silence-Lotto

Despite a few hiccups, Silence-Lotto stalwart Mario Aerts and young rider Olivier Kainsen have resigned with the Belgian squad. Aerts has negotiated another two seasons, with the option of a third, while Kaisen will definitely ride for the squad in 2009.

Aerts, who has spent nine years under the leadership of Marc Coucke, went into contract negotiations having been the subject of interest from Team Columbia and Katusha. Given this and a strong performance at the Olympics, the 33-year-old Belgian was requesting some vital upgrades to his contract.

"I didn't want to leave Silence, but there was a long discussion. I went to the Olympics, and it was difficult to contact [each other]," said the reliable domestique. "But eventually all was good and we have a good agreement. We've agreed to two years with option [of a third]," Aerts told Sporza.

Another rider up for contract renewal, it appeared Kaisen would be forced to search for another team after it was reported that manager Marc Sergeant told him that there was no room within the squad to accommodate his services. That changed however, and Kaisen will indeed be a part of Silence-Lotto's '09 lineup.