Just two days after Skil-Shimano announced the signing of Roger Kluge, the team has added another Milram rider to their ranks in the form of Johannes Fröhlinger. The German will be joining his compatriot on the Dutch team after signing a contract that runs through 2011. The 25 year old isn't a new name for the team's management and, with the Milram's sponsor folding at the end of the year, they took the opportunity to bring him on board.
"We have been monitoring Johannes Fröhlinger for a while now. We’ve known him since his time with the espoirs. He is a perfect fit for our team," explained Skil-Shimano general manager Iwan Spekenbrink.
Fröhlinger has put in some solid performances in the past, but so far for 2010 his best result has been eighth place in stage five of the Tour de Suisse. Last year he secured third place finishes in stage seven of the Tour de France and the GP Triberg-Schwarzwald, and finished fifth in the Memorial Cimurri and stage five of the Vuelta al Pais Vasco.
He began his career as a stagiaire in September of 2006 with the Gerolsteiner team, and rode there until the team folded in 2008. Fröhlinger has completed all three Grand Tours, recently finishing his second Tour de France. The team said in a release that the young German will now have more opportunities to ride for himself, and the focus on his further development was a factor in the decision.