Following reports in the Belgian and Dutch press that he is set to leave the Garmin-Transitions team at the end of the season, Brazilian rider Murilo Fischer has clarified his position: in short, he’s staying where he is.
He’s denied reports that he’s going to the new Spanish team planned to take over from Caisse d’Epargne. “On the issue of Movistar, as I’ve said before, I’m happy at Garmin and under contract until 2012,” he said via Twitter.
As Biciciclismo recalls, he stated in August that he wanted to remain with the team for a long time. “I’m very happy here. If I could choose, I would renew for ten years,” he said when signing a new two year deal.
Garmin is taking seven riders from the current Cervélo Team, and will also ride the Canadian sponsor’s bikes from 2011 onwards. This influx of new riders means that some of the current crew will have to make way, leading to speculation about who will stay and who will go.
Longstanding Garmin member Danny Pate announced last week that he is moving to HTC Columbia, saying that he had been happy with the team but that things were different for him this year. He was passed over for Grand Tour participation, and feels that he will get a fresh start with Bob Sapleton’s US ProTour team.
Former world ‘B’ champion Fischer moved to Garmin-Transitions at the end of last season, ending a long run with Italian teams such as Domina Vacanze, Naturino-Sapore di Mare and Liquigas. The 31 year old won the Giro della Romagna in 2009 and this year took the Brazilian national championship.