Rabobank re-signs trio

Team Rabobank announced Monday that it has extended its contracts with Joost Posthuma, Graeme Brown and Grischa Niermann. "They are three different riders, but all three are valuable forces on our team," said team leader Erik Breukink. "Joost Posthuma is capable of making progression next season. I expect him to step up to the next level. Brown is a typical sprinter and I expect him to win his races. Niermann has been with the team for a long time. Everybody knows he is a very solid helper."

The 26 year-old Posthuma has inked a two year deal with the Dutch ProTour squad. He first joined Rabobank in 2001, with the Continental (GS-II) team, before joining the ProTour (GS-I) team in 2004. Posthuma missed much of this season after being hit by a car while training. The Dutchman returned at the end of the season to take the overall win in the Sachsen Tour. He has a total of 21 wins for Rabobank since joining the squad.

Brown has been with Rabobank for two years and signed another two-year contract. The 28 year-old has seven wins for Rabobank. This year the Australian sprinter has won stages in the Tour of California, Tour of Murcia and Tour of Poland.

German Nierman, who has been with Rabobank since 1999, has signed for one more year. The 31 year-old has seven wins for the team over his time with the squad, including the Regio Tour in 1999 and the Neidersachsen Rundfahrt in 2001.