Van Goolen to leave Saxo Bank at end of season

Jurgen Van Goolen will leave Team Saxo Bank the end of this season and is looking for a new team, after disagreeing with the Danish team about his racing schedule.

"This year I won't ride the Vuelta,“ he told Het Nieuwsblad. "I have not yet received a word of explanation, but the situation is clear. My agent is looking for another team.“

The 28-year-old will ride the Belgian national time trial championships this weekend, and the Eneco Tour next week. "Then my season is already over,“ he said.

He doesn't understand why he is not racing more now. "Everyone knows that I ride very well at this time of year. I proved it last year, when I was 16th in the Vuelta a España and 11th in the World championships."

Van Goolen turned pro in 2002 with Domo-Farm Frites. He rode for Quick Step from 2003 to 2005, Discovery Channel from 2006 to 2007 and then joined Team CSC, now Saxo Bank.