German rider Dominic Klemme, who ended Leopard-Trek’s wait for its first win when he took the GP Samyn in Marck, is transferring to the Project 1t4i team in 2012. The squad is continuing to build strength as it pushes for a UCI ProTeam contract, and has already brought John Degenkolb, Tom Dumoulin, Ramon Sinkeldam, Tobias Ludvigsson and Patrick Gretsch on board for next year.
The team has raced this season under the Skil-Shimano title, although it recently announced a name change prior to the unveiling of a new title sponsor next spring. It has clocked up a number of big wins this season, including the Vuelta a España stage victory taken by Marcel Kittel, plus sixteen other victories by him.
Klemme has signed a one year deal and is seen as a rider who could show well in the Flemish Classics and also sprints.
The 24 year old German rider finished 14th in the 2010 Paris-Roubaix, as well as third in the Hel van het Mergelland and fourth in the GP Herning. Prior to that, he showed his strength during his first season with Saxo Bank when he was runner-up in the 2009 German road race championships.
It4i is awaiting news about its ProTeam bid. Its chances were improved by yesterday’s unfortunate news that the Geox TMC team is in difficulties due to its primary sponsor deciding to walk away from cycling.