Bernhard Kohl takes a big step forward for Austria cycling (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Will Tour de France King of the Mountains Bernhard Kohl ride for a Belgian team next year? The 26 year-old Austrian, who finished third overall in the Tour is looking for a new employer, as his Gerolsteiner Team Manager Hans-Michael Holczer has so far been unable to find a new sponsor for 2009.
According to sporza.be, Kohl's manager talked with both Quick-Step and Silence-Lotto. He met last week with both Patrick Lefevere of Quick-Step and Marc Sergeant of Silence-Lotto.
Kohl noted that he really could not say anything about his professional future at this point. "Last week, I had concrete talks with several teams, but the decision must be well thought out. And I still haven't entirely given up hope that that Hans Holczer will still be able to find a sponsor and that the successful concept of our team can continue," he wrote on his website.
"It is a dream come true. My success is not just for me, but also something special for Austria. No Austrian has stood on the podium in Paris for years, and an Austrian has never before won the mountain jersey. What makes me particularly proud is the fact that there is now a new enthusiasm for cycling in Austria. I hope that young and old will develop a passion for this sport. Then I will really have accomplished something great." (SW)
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