Stamsnijder, Garate to Rabobank in 2009

Team Rabobank has announced two more new riders for the coming season, Tom Stamsnijder of Gerolsteiner and Juan Manuel Garate from Quick Step.

For the 23 year-old Stamsnijder, it is a return to the blue-and-orange jersey. The Dutch youngster rode for the Rabobank Continental Team from 2004 to 2006 before turning pro with Gerolsteiner in 2007.

Garate, 32, is coming to the team as helper, one who can support the team's captains in the Grand Tours. "His experience will probably be of great value to us," said team director Erik Breukink. The Spaniard turned pro with Lampre in 2000, and rode for Saunier Duval for a year before joining Quick Step in 2006.

In leaving Quick Step, Garate said, "I've had some great years with this team. I've achieved some great results, like winning the green jersey in the 2006 Giro d'Italia." But, he concluded, "It was time for me to seek out new motivation and try new experiences."

Stamsnijder and Garate will join Nick Nuyens (Cofidis), Maarten Tjallingii (Silence-Lotto), Stef Clement (Bouygues Telecom), Jos van Emden and Lars Boom (both from Rabobank's Continental squad) as newcomers to the 2009 Rabobank ProTour team.