Aggressive Dutch rider Johnny Hoogerland will remain part of the Vacansoleil team for a further two years, with the squad confirming today that a deal has been done until the end of 2013.
The 27 year old was under a little pressure as team management had made it clear that places on this year’s Tour de France roster would be based around those who are willing to remain with the team. “The Tour is the cycling podium of the world and we also have to look out for the future,” Daan Luijkx said to NUSport last month. “I think in the Tour team you have to put the riders who are under contract until 2013.”
Hoogerland indicated then that he expected to be able to come to an agreement, but that he also wanted the provision to earn more if he got big results. “I am not someone who wants to get every cent out of it. But if I ride well this season, that needs to be rewarded.”
Now, following negotiations, things have been finalised and he will continue as part of the UCI ProTeam.
“I feel appreciated in the international team, [so] extending the contract was a logical decision. The team management has confidence in me and the WorldTour license gives me the opportunity to ride a balanced program,” he said. “In the upcoming weeks I hope our team gets some good results in the Ardennes Classics and after that I will do the Giro.”
Hoogerland has already impressed in a Grand Tour, netting twelfth in the 2009 Vuelta. That was his debut season with the team and he rewarded its trust, also netting fifth in the Giro di Lombardia, twelfth in the Tour of Flanders and fourteenth in the world championships. Last season was another good one: his performances included third overall in the Tour Méditerranéen, fifth in the Tour of Britain and eleventh in the Ronde van Vlaanderen. He also won the mountains classification in Britain and the Tour of Poland.
With Riccardo Rìcco no longer part of the team, Hoogerland’s extension is even more important for the squad. Luijkx said he has faith in the rider. “Johnny has the attractive style of racing which the team is famous for; he attacks a lot but also looks at the result at the finish line.”
He is due to compete in the De Brabantse Pijl - La Flèche Brabançonne tomorrow, then the Amstel Gold Race on Sunday.