Haussler to start for German national team again in 2010

Heinrich Haussler changed his mind and will ride for the German national team again in 2010, the Bund Deutscher Radfahrer (BDR) announced on Thursday.  The BDR also picked its three nominees for the World Championship time trial race in Mendriso in September.

Haussler has dual German and Australian citizenship. He had earlier indicated that he would not ride again in the future unless it was for Australia, but he said more recently that he would race again for Germany, although not this year.

"That won't be the case in Mendrisio. After the long season, he doesn't have the necessary freshness to be in top form at the start," said BDR vice president Udo Sprenger.

Haussler said he was looking forward to the Worlds in 2010 in Melbourne. "I would like to start in the BDR jersey in my former homeland," he said. "The course is good for me. In 2010, I will plan my season so that I can be there."

Bert Grabsch and Tony Martin, both of Team Columbia-HTC, and Sebastian Lang of Silence-Lotto will represent the BDR in the world championship time trial on September 24. Germany may start three riders because it is the nation of defending champion Grabsch.

"We will have a very strong trio," said Sprenger. "I am convinced that we will win a medal."

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