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Brajkovič chooses RadioShack

published 18 September 2009

Slovenian turns down offers from Katusha, Rabobank and Sky

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Janez Brajkovic (Astana) was sporting a fancy paint job on his Trek TT bike today. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Janez Brajkovič has confirmed that he will ride for RadioShack in 2010. The 25-year-old Slovenian said that despite offers from Katusha, Rabobank and Team Sky, he would join current Astana manager Johan Bruyneel at the new American squad.

"I had several offers, but I wanted to stay with Johan Bruyneel," said Brajkovič at a press conference on Wednesday, according to Slovenian cycling magazine Bicikel.

Brajkovič revealed that while Katusha's offer was the most lucrative of the options before him, he chose to join Lance Armstrong's team in the hope of supporting the Texan in his bid for a record eighth Tour de France title.

"Money only goes so far," he said. "I expect superior team, with an atmosphere similar to that of Discovery Channel. I will also have greater control over my race program [at RadioShack]. Of course, I would also like to race in the Tour [de France], even if only as an assistant. Being part of Lance Armstrong's team at the Tour is something very significant."

Brajkovič in indicated that in addition to shorter stage races and one-day Classics, a position on the RadioShack squad for the Tour de France would be his main objective for 2010.

The Slovenian rode for Astana for the past two seasons, after completing two-and-a-half years at Discovery Channel, where he began his ProTour career in 2005.

Winner of the Under-23 Time trial World Championship in 2004 and the current Slovenian national time trial champion, Brajkovič was wore leader's jersey at the Vuelta a España for two stages in 2006. In 2007 he won the best young rider's classification at the Tour of Georgia.