O'Grady extends with CSC

One of the Team CSC - Saxo Bank's most well known racers has extended his contract going into the 2009 season. Australian Stuart O'Grady will remain with Team CSC Saxo Bank for the next two seasons. His announcement comes after Carlos Sastre decided to leave the team and ride for the new Cervélo team next season.

"It's been an easy choice for me because I simply couldn't imagine working for another team," said O'Grady on riis-cycling.com. "The results I've achieved here I wouldn't have been able to get anywhere else, and at the same time I'm extremely happy to have been a part of all the triumphs my team-mates have achieved.

"I've had my fair share of crashes throughout the last couple of years, but the team has always allowed me the time it took to recover and been there for me through the tough times. Our friendship and the mutual respect between the riders are very unique and it's the main reason for my extension.

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"I look forward to the next two seasons and I'm happy to work for the world's best cycling team," said the 35 year-old O'Grady.

"Stuart has been extremely valuable to our team ­ both in terms of his results but also his vast experience," said team director Bjarne Riis. "He's one of the most experienced riders on the team and he's also the type of rider who can decide a Classic or a stage in the Tour. I'm really happy we get to keep Stuart with us for the next two seasons and I know we've secured ourselves a key player for the Classics as well as the big stage races."