Matthias Kessler and Sergey Ivanov have both signed one-year renewals of their contracts with T-Mobile , the team has announced. However, T-Mobile has admitted that the process of retaining the 26-year-old Kessler was not without its speedbumps.
"An earlier round of negotiations between the team management and the cyclist broke down without resolution," said the team, adding that discussions had restarted in recent weeks and proved more fruitful.
"Matthias fits perfectly into the new team direction. He is young, but also possesses enough experience to take on a more responsible role within the team in future," said Ludwig.
Kessler said he had had "a few other offers" but added, ""My goal and wish were, however, to stay with the T-Mobile Team. I feel good here and I am convinced that together we can achieve a lot."
The renewal of Ivanov's contract was also the result of "intensive dialogue," according to Ludwig. The 30-year-old Ivanov is the reigning Russian road champion and recently won a stage of the Tour of Britain, but admits, "The current season has not been among my best. I will be giving it my all to play a key role in the new-look team and, in particular, to make an assault on the Spring Classics."
