Dutch rider Bram Tankink will leave the Quick.Step-Innergetic team to ride for the Dutch Rabobank squad for the next two years, the team announced Friday. The 27 year-old Tankink started his cycling career on the mountain bike, but switched to the road in 2001, when he rode for the Domo-Farm Frites team. He joined the Quick.Step team in 2003.
Tankink is a strong all-rounder, having taken a stage of the Deutschland Tour in 2005 and this year's GP Jef Scherens. As an espoir, Tankink was the Dutch champion in 2000. Rabobank manager Erik Breukink is hoping to get more out of Tankink than just a strong domestique. "Bram Tankink is an all-round rider. He's one of the better riders in The Netherlands. In the Quick.Step team his role was that of a helper. We think he's capable of doing more than just that."
