Contract talks are in full swing among ‘cross pros. Sven Nys, after considering several offers from teams including his current sponsor Rabobank, has signed a three-year contract with the Belgian Landbouwkrediet-Tönissteiner team, and will ride for them beginning January, 1 2009. Landbouwkrediet is a Belgian bank and part of the the Credit Agricole / Landbouwkrediet banking group. Tönissteiner is a German mineral water brand.
Bob Verbeeck, Nys’ agent, said Nys chose the offer with the “best sporting options and guarantees” and not the most financially attractive proposal.”
Nys said his attraction to team was his ability to create his own “tailor-made program.” He is looking forward to the change, saying it will add a “fresh wind to his career and without a doubt an extra boost.”
One can’t help but wonder if the presence of young rising star and 2008 World Champ Lars Boom on Rabobank motivated Nys to switch teams.
The one thing that won’t change? Nys’ bike. His new team is also riding Colnago, so Nys will still be mounting a Colonago C50 carbon cyclocross bike.
Nys is currently training on his mountain bike for the Beijing Olympics, and is undergoing specific acclimatization training to prepare for the expected heat and humidity of the August 23rd race. Many describe the short, 6km Olympics course to be more like a cyclocross course than a mountain bike race, which should suit Nys very well.
