Montfort extends with Cofidis

By Susan Westemeyer

Maxime Montfort has extended his contract with Team Cofidis for a year, through 2009. The 24-year-old Belgian expects to make his Tour de France debut in 2008 and is also looking towards the Beijing Olympics. He did not have any wins this year, but finished 11th in the Vuelta a España and 7th in the Deutschland Rundfahrt.

"We believe in him," team manager Eric Boyer told the "Gazet van Antwerpen". "We are patient enough to give him time to ripen his talent."