Van Winden to Rabobank's ProTour team for two years

Mark Cassidy (An Post – Sean Kelly Team) and Dennis Van Winden (Rabobank) had built a formidable lead as the race reached the first climb of the day at ‘The Vee’. (Image credit: Stephen McMahon)

Dennis van Winden will move up from Rabobank's Continental team to the ProTour team. He becomes the second rider to make the jump for 2010, joining Steven Kruijswijk.

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Van Winden wins final stage

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Van Winden, 21, has ridden for the Rabobank developmental team since 2007. "This is a boyhood dream come true," said the Dutch youngster, who signed a two-year contract. "I'm super motivated."

He has had five wins this season, most recently winning a stage at he Tour de l'Avenir. Two of his wins were time trials, and he finished 11th in the Under 23 World Championship time trial in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

Rabobank had earlier announced that Kruijswijk, 22, would also joint the team in 2010. "We want to give the young talented riders explicitly time to develop their talent, confidence and attention to themselves, and with Steven and Dennis, we now get two riders from our own training team who have good opportunities," said general manager Harold Knebel. "Our focus is increasingly placed on the intensive supervision of the riders, so that everyone's talent comes to maturity."

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