Team Elk Haus Simplon announced two signings for the coming season. Christian Pfanneberger is returning for another year and Thomas Konecny will join the team.
Pfanneberger, the team's captain, said, "The team has supported me the whole time, I want to thank them for their trust in me with another great season." He added, "Next year I want to win the Tour of Austria, a realistic goal." Pfanneberger finished third overall in that race this year.
Konecny, from the Czech Republic, also signed a one-year contract. He rode last season for Team Wiesenhof-Akud, and before that for T-Mobile, among others. His palmares included a stage win in the Vuelta à Espana. "This past season wasn't particularly good, but in our talks, he showed himself highly motivated," said team manager Bernhardf Rassinger. "In 2004 Thomas had the best climbing time up the Glockner in the history of the Tour of Austria. It still hasn't been beaten."
