Team Milram - 2010 Squad Finalized
The German ProTour team looks forward with optimism to the 2010 Season with a strong mix of talent both journeymen and  fast young talents. A bolstered sprint train to support Gerald Ciolek and additional Classics men to achieve the renewed goals of manager Gerry van Gerwen.

Vuelta a España: Podium portrait:  Gerald Ciolek  More support for the Milram sprinter should see him increasing his stage and race victories for the team in 2010.   Photo © 2009 Fotoreporter Sirotti

After a mixed season 2009, the Team Milram is looking optimistically towards the forthcoming season. After six departures and five new signings, the German ProTour racing team finalizes its squad planning and will start into the year 2010 with 24 cyclists.

 The only German ProTour racing team is counting on a mix of young talents and experienced professionals. Most notably, the classics team for the spring season was strengthened, as well as the sprinter group around captain Gerald Ciolek. The jersey of Team Milram will be worn by a total of 16 German cyclist in the forthcoming season.

"Our aim for 2009 was 25 wins. With nine victories, we were far off that goal, so on paper, we cannot be satisfied with this season," said Gerry van Gerwen, General Manager Team Milram.

2009 Vuelta a Espana, Stage 2: The moment of truth... Ciolek throws his bike at the line ahead of Sabatini and Hammond to claim the victory. Photo © 2009 Fotoreporter Sirotti

 “However, this year was far from being all bad. It was Team Milram’s best ever appearance at the Tour de France, and we did very well in the German races, where we were aggressive, we influenced the course of the races and offered attractive cycling. The victory of Gerald Ciolek at the Vuelta was another great goal that we achieved. A quality win at a big race. These were achievements that we will build on and that we will have to show in every single race in 2010.”

2009 Ronde van Vlaanderen:  Attackers Wim De Vocht  and Aleksandr Kuschynski  on the Patersberg. De Vocht  Photo © 2009 Fotoreporter Sirotti

The two Belgian new recruits Wim De Vocht and especially Roy Sentjens will be supporting the German ProTour racing team at the appearances in spring. They are both very familiar with the classics through Belgium, the Netherlands, the North of France and above all going over cobblestone, and they will complete the group of Milram cyclists around Niki Terpstra, Servais Knaven, Markus Eichler and Gerald Ciolek.

Niki Terpstra attacks in the post Tour Criterium, Ridderronde Maastricht where he won the twilight race. Photo © 2009 Bart Hazen

As well as the spring season, another focal point of the team management of the only German ProTour racing team for new signings was the sprint preparation. Thanks to the new signings, Australian Luke Roberts and Roger Kluge, there will be further options to put captain Gerald Ciolek into the ideal position next season.

In addition, the team was joined by the very talented all-rounder Dominik Nerz, who is the current German U23 champion and can be expected to surprise now and again.

2009 Vuelta a España: Dominik Roels finished third in Stage 15   Photo © 2009 Fotoreporter Sirotti

"I am overjoyed to be able to ride another year with Team Milram;“ said Dominik Roels, who signed his contract with manager Gerry van Gerwen after his strong time trial Saturday. "The last few weeks have given me a lot of self-confidence. I am convinced that I can carry this momentum over the winter and build on this performance next year."

"Dominik Roels has shown that he is a good rider, not the least through his aggressive riding here at the Vuelta," said Gerry van Gerwen, General Manager of Team Milram. "He is still quite young and has indicated what kind of potential he has. I think that in the future he will bring in some good results. Especially if he can continue to improve his always-better form."

The Team Milram line-up for 2010:

All riders German unless noted otherwise.

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