We are happy to announce that Dutch Sprinting sensation Willem Brouwer has put pen to paper on a one year deal, which sees him replacing Tyler Farrar and Nicklas Strömberg, whose future is uncertain as of now, as our leading sprinter. He will receive full leadership in the sprints, especially targetting Milano - San Remo, and an as of yet undecided GT.
Talks with a second young rider are in the latter stages of negotiations, but no deal has been decided just yet. Stay tuned for more on our new signing!

Here we have an interview with a high UCI representative, dealing with everything concerning the off season and the future of cycling. A Second Part seems very possible, so if you felt anything went unasked, go ahead and say so.

Will any changes to the calendar and especially the rating of races in it be made, and if so, will the managers have any say in it?

Yes, there will be some changes, and the UCI will consult with the managers in the offseason. There are a lot of race organisers who want their race on the international calendar, so we will do our best to continue expanding cycling worldwide. We are very proud to have added South American and African races this year, and there might be more where that came from!

Which riders can we expect to be up for drafting?

If we look at the youth categories, I'm sure quite a few teams are interested in drafting riders like Caleb Ewan. We are also expecting interest in the Yates brothers. Others might look at the lower categories and draft riders from the smaller teams in, Arredondo is having a really good season, I wouldn't be suprised if he'll be drafted. And there will be a few less known riders as well, I'm sure.

Can you give us the exact reasons for streamlining the WT to 16 teams?

Too many times we felt sorry for a Continental Tour team that didn't get a wildcard, while World Tour teams were sending a B-team. This system will allow us to hand out more wildcards, while keeping the World Tour at a top level. Next year may see additional rules, like the need to get a top 10 finish in one of the three grand tours or a top 10 finish in one of the cobbled classics. Of course, this needs to be discussed with the teams before implementing.

There was controversy over your announcement of riders who doped being banned, are you still pursueing that?

Definitely, the cheaters need to go. I know it may seem unfair to the teams, but they have a resposibility as well. We are however going to give a small compensation to the teams who are affected by this.

How will you go about finding new managers to take control of the notoriously manager-less CT teams like Topsport or Novo Nordisk

Despite our best effords, we didn't get any application for those teams. We hope to find them in the future. After all, Champion System also found a manager, I wouldn't call them generaly amonst the popular teams. Either way, those teams will remain in the peloton.

How long do you think it will be before one of the new young riders wins a GT or a monument?

I think a monument win could happen as soon as next season, with a bit of luck. With proper training, Brouwer or Hanzen could win San Remo. On the cobbles, we have even more candidates, some able to already get a top 10 this year. And on the hills, many people can win on a good day. For the GT's, it will be harder, one does not become a stage racer in a year. On the long run, guys like Kim, Hinault or Johnson could be close.

Will the limit of 30 riders for a WT team stay intact?

Yes, we see no need to increase or decrease that. The transfer period should give each team the chance to fill their squads.

Dippofix wrote:

Erik McDermott is our second big signing ahead of next season, following Willem Brouwer to us. Having had a year full of ups and downs at Tinkoff-Saxo, we sat him down ahead of the USAPCC (where he hopes to win a stage) for the official presentation interview. Something similar is in the making for Brouwer too.

What are you looking forward to the most at Garmin?

An international atmosphere with outsiders for most races but no big egos and superstars feeling bigger than the team.

And who are you looking forward to most?

Vansummeren and Nuyens. They have each won one the biggest cobbled classics and I want to learn the secret to do just that. It will be a privilige to have the guidance of two riders of such class even though it's been a few seaons since thay have hit that top level.

Which races will you focus on next season?

Anything with cobbles...

Have you had a chance to speak to your knew teammates yet?

Only briefly on the peloton at Eneco tour. Right now I'm focused on my duties in the Saxo-jersey. They seem like a good bunch of guys though so I'm looking forward to getting to talk some more with them.

Did Alex Rasmussen have any influence on you signing here?

Of course having another Dane on the team isn't a bad thing and he have often spoken about how happy he is at the team and how much support he got from everyone when he had his paper-trouble...

How do you think you and Willem [Brouwer] will work together?

I think we will be a duo to be reckoned with. On one side we are kind of similar, but still with different strengths and I'll be happy to work for him on some occasions. In a race such as Milan-Sanremo which I think we both dream of winning one day the team could benefit greatly from having the two of us working together and attacking in turns.

Will you be riding a GT next season, and if so, with what aim?

That will depend on the teams wishes as well as the routes. Rumour has it the Tour might contain a big cobbles stage, which would be a good target for me, but on the othre hand I don't know if I'm quite strong enough to ride stages in a row over big mountains.
I'd rather race where I have a chance of doing something than where I can only hope to survive...

You've been critizised for not communicating with your team boss about your departure; how is the relationship between you now?

On my side there's no hard feelings and I'll do my best throughout the rest of the season. He have never been very talkative though so I don't know how he feels.
In fact the low level of dialog throughout the year was a key in my decision to go somewhere with a more "present" management.

Which rider should we look out for most next season?

I actually kind of think of Garmin as the team everyone else should watch out for. Nevertheless apart from the legends such as Cancellara and Boonen I myself expect some hard battles against the Kenyan Sithembele and Laotian Khampan. I think you will see us battling in teh spring for many years to come!

Will we see you at the worlds?

Ask the coach, hahaha...
No, seriously I'm not actually quite sure how the selection process is, but if I'm called up I'd love to ride for my country - not that I have any illusions of being able to actually win the rainbow jersey. Not this year anyway...

As more and more teams have been releasing information on their players future, we at Garmin decided to do the same thing, giving you here what offers you will need to place to get what riders. Of course the labels aren't fully accurate, as we value some riders higher than others even if they might be in the same category. Still, it should give you a good indication.

Insane offer needed
Dan Martin
Andy Talansky


Not cheap, but would go
Rohan Dennis
Tyler Farrar
Ryder Hesjedal
Ramunas Navardauskas
Nick Nuyens
Pete Stetina
Johann Vansummeren
Steele Von Hoff
Fabian Wegmann


Would let go for trade
Tom Danielson
Michel Kreder
Lachlan Morton
Alex Rasmussen
Jakob Rathe
Dave Zabriskie


Would let go
Jack Bauer.
Nathan Haas
Alex Howes
Robert Hunter
Ray Kreder
David Millar
Christian Vande Velde


Won't be renewed
Thomas Dekker
Koldo Fernandez
Andreas Klier
Martijn Maaskant