Gerolsteiner quartet to Milram

Team Milram is beginning to take shape for the coming 2009 season, as it announced Sunday the hiring of three more riders from Team Gerolsteiner, as well as Directeur Sportif Christian Henn. Two-time German champion Fabian Wegmann and the brothers Markus and Thomas Fothen all signed two-year contracts with what will be the only German ProTour team in 2009, as did Henn. The team also told Cyclingnews that Björn Schröder had extended his contract with the team.

"We are trying to put together a squad for the coming season with which we can be at the front in every race," said Gerry van Gerwen, Milram General Manager. "These signings are an important step in this direction."

Wegmann, 28, has won the German national road title the last two years. He has also won the GP Miguel Indurain twice. In 2004 he took the mountain title at the Giro d'Italia. He turned pro in 2002 with Gerolsteiner.

Markus Fothen, 26, turned pro with Gerolsteiner in 2004. He finished 15th overall in the Tour de France in 2006, and won a stage in the Tour de Romandie in 2007 and one in the Tour de Suisse this year. His younger brother, Thomas, is 25 and joined Gerolsteiner in 2006.

Henn, 44, rode professionally from 1989 to 1999. He joined Gerolsteiner as a Directeur Sportif in 2001, and has been assistant general manager since 2004.

Schröder rode for Team Weisenhof from 2003 to 2005 before joining Milram. This season the 28 year-old won the Rothaus Regio Tour.