Sastre extends with CSC

Spanish rider Carlos Sastre has extended his contract with Team CSC for another two years until the end of 2008. Sastre joined the team in 2002, and wants to stay. "There's no doubt in my mind where I belong and I'm very happy that Bjarne and I have come to an agreement about extending my contract," Sastre said on team-csc.com. "It's not really about the money for me, but about feeling totally comfortable with my teammates and all the staff behind the team. This is where I can fulfil my ambitions and at the same time lend a hand, when one of my teammates has the opportunity to win. For me it comes naturally to assist Ivan or one of the others, and then get the chance myself at some other point and receive all the support I need. I couldn't see myself on another team so the extension is definitely the right thing for me and my future."

Sastre is a top quality rider, winning a stage in the Tour de France and finishing second in last year's Vuelta a España. This year, he won the Klasika Primavera in Spring.

"Carlos is a world class rider in all respects. He has the potential to win one of the great stage races himself, and at the same time he's willing to sacrifice his own ambitions like he's done for Ivan this year in the Giro," said Bjarne Riis. "In my opinion there is no other rider with his class, when it comes to that. Carlos is vital to the team in the races as well as socially and it pleases me, that we've got him for another two years."