Team HTC-Columbia's workhorse Bert Grabsch has extended his contract with the team for an additional two years. Grabsch, a former world time trial champion, continued to prove his value to the team at this year's Tour de France by tapping out kilometers on end at the front of the peloton.
The German plays an important role in keeping breakaway threats within reach as part of the silent effort that helps to enable sprinter Mark Cavendish's success. This year saw the Manxman take home five stage victories.
"Bert's commitment is a very good example for many of our young riders," commented team manager Rolf Aldag. "He works very hard, is always loyal to his captain and we can always count on him when it comes to a situation where we have to chase down breakaways or need a good time trial result.
"He showed some incredible performances in the recent Tour de France and paved the way for many of our stage victories in the sprint stages," added Aldag. "We are happy to plan with him for the next two years."
The German's best result this season was in stage nineteen of the Tour de France. He finished third behind winner Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) and teammate Tony Martin in the 52 kilometer time trial from Bordeaux to Pauillac. Grabsch finished fourth in his national time trial championships just before the Tour, and fourth in the Driedaagse De Panne time trial this spring.
"I'm happy to be with HTC-Columbia for the next two years," said Grabsch. "I know what I have in this team. The last three years were very successful here for me and I hope that will continue. I still have the motivation for professional cycling and I get this with HTC-Columbia."
Along with his world time trial title in 2008, the German has taken three national titles in the discipline (2007, 2008, 2009), and won a stage at the Vuelta a España (2008) and the overall at the Sachsen-Tour (2008).