More signings and rumours

The flurry of singings continues, as does the flurry of rumours. First, the confirmed transfers: Frank Hoj has signed for one year with Team CSC-Saxo Bank. It is a return for him to the Danish team, for which he rode in 2004, before leaving for two years each at Gerolsteiner and Cofidis. The 35 year-old Dane noted that "the last couple of seasons haven't been easy for me, but there's light at the end of the tunnel now and my form is back where it should be." Bjarne Riis said that he expected Hoj to especially help in the Classics, "and it's no secret either that Frank has a lot to offer in terms of his personality."

Björn Leukemans, who is coming off a six-month suspension for testosterone, will ride for the newly-formed Continental team Vacansoleil in the coming season. He will be the team's captain in the Spring Classics, to which it hopes to be invited. Dutch riders Bobbie Traksel, Aart Vierhouten and Arnoud van Groen have also signed with the team, with further recruits expected to be announced this week.

Now, for the rumours: The grapevine has Olympic Champion Samuel Sanchez signing a two-year contract with the new Cervélo TestTeam, where he would join Carlos Sastre and, reportedly, Thor Hushovd, Serge Pauwels and Iñigo Cuesta. In addition, Andreas Klier and Roger Hammond - both of whom are confirmed to be leaving Columbia - are said to go to Cervélo, too.

(Additional editorial assistance provided by Susan Westemeyer.)

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