Linus Gerdemann, winner of stage seven in the 2007 Tour de France, presented(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
German Linus Gerdemann, 26, thinks of his move from Team Columbia to Milram.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Linus Gerdemann is happy with Team Milram. The German left Team Columbia early to join his home team.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Linus Gerdemann, winner of stage seven in the 2007 Tour de France, presented at a Team Milram press conference in Dortmund, Germany.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
General Manager Gerry van Gerwen and Linus Gerdemann join forces.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Germany's Linus Gerdemann fields questions at a press conference with this new team, Team Milram.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Linus Gerdemann is a Milram man now after breaking his contract to leave Team Columbia.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Linus Gerdemann eases himself with the German media after his announcement to join Team Milram.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
By Susan Westemeyer in Dortmund, Germany
Team Milram introduced its new captain Linus Gerdemann and announced that he would be joined by sprinter Gerald Ciolek at a press conference Thursday in Dortmund, Germany. The two German riders are transferring over from the USA-based Team Columbia.
"German cycling has a difficult past and I think I can help," said Grand Tour hopeful Gerdemann to Cyclingnews. "German cycling has given me a lot in the past and I want to pay it back."
Milram manager Gerry van Gerwen said that it took four contracts to secure Gerdemann's services as the 26 year-old still had an agreement with Columbia through the coming season. He was not allowed to say how much was paid to buy out the contract.
It had long been expected that Tour de France stage winner Gerdemann and Ciolek would join Milram. Gerdemann had said that he wanted to ride for a German team and fast man Ciolek, who did not attend the press conference, was not offered a new contract at Columbia, which has top sprinters Mark Cavendish and André Greipel.
The team also confirmed its complete roster of 25 riders for 2009. More details on its signings will come soon on Cyclingnews.
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