(29-09-2016 / Trek-Segafredo) Basque cyclist Haimar Zubeldia, 39, has agreed to a one-year contract extension, and Luxembourger Laurent Didier, 32, has inked a two-year deal, securing both Trek-Segafredo long-standing teammates for the 2017 season.
Laurent Didier has proven to be an instrumental teammate for Trek-Segafredo, a rider who is adept in various terrains and types of races. Didier first joined the organization in 2012 with RadioShack-Nissan-Trek, and next year will be his sixth season riding for the Trek family.
Didier: “Of course I am happy to stay with Trek-Segafredo, I know how they work, and this was a big part of my desire to remain with the team. I am a domestique, and I look forward to the next two years to continue in this support role. I love my job, and it was very important to continue in a team where they know me and how I work as well.”
Guercilena: “I am happy we could keep Laurent Didier onboard. Over the last years, he has developed into one of our most valued domestiques. Laurent is incredibly composed on the bike and won’t stop until he has given everything; he is one of the hardest workers in the pro peloton. But on top of that, he is also an intelligent guy with an incredible memory. Laurent reads the race like no other and knows the road book by heart before the start of every stage. And these skills have served him and the team time and again.”
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Haimar Zubeldia, who will enter his 20th season as a professional at the age of 40 next year, has shown little signs of slowing down, finishing his 14th Tour de France followed by his 10th Vuelta a España this year. The experienced climber will be a valuable support role for Bauke Mollema and Alberto Contador.
Zubeldia: “This is my second family, and I could not see myself riding with any other team. I am proud that I will do 20 years, I guess you can say that gave me a little more motivation to continue. Also, the team has taken another dimension with Contador and Degenkolb joining us next year. I raced with Alberto some years ago, so we already know each other, and it’s important to me that he is also a Spanish guy. I will have a bigger role next year supporting both Mollema and Contador, and that is also very motivating for me.
