Tour 2008 winner Carlos Sastre has finally announced his team for 2009: he is leaving CSC-Saxo Bank and will form part of the new squad being created by Canadian bike manufacturers Cervélo.
According to the Spanish press, Sastre has signed a two-year deal with Cervélo. He will take one domestique from CSC-Saxo Bank with him, the evergreen Inigo Cuesta - currently racing his fifteenth Vuelta, an all-time record.
Sastre has been racing with CSC for the last seven years, but rumours had persistently indicated in the last few weeks that in 2009 he would be moving on.
Despite reportedly receiving a huge offer from new Russian outfit Katyusha, Sastre has opted for Cervélo, who have been CSC?s bike sponsors since 2002. In 2009, however, Cervélo are forming their own squad, with headquarters and a service course in Switzerland.
?Everything in this life has a before and an after?, Sastre said on his personal website. ?I want to continue to be as highly motivated as I?ve always been and that?s one of the most important reasons why I?m joining Cervélo.?
According to Spanish sports daily MARCA, Sastre has insisted money was not an issue, becaue ??financial questions have always been secondary.?
After winning the Tour de France after a superb solo win at Alpe D?Huez, Sastre is currently battling for victory in the Tour of Spain in which he finished second in 2007. On Friday?s rest day, the 33-year-old was lying fifth overall behind Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis).
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