Armitstead and Slappendel to Cervélo TestTeam

by Ben Atkins at 9:42 AM EST

Two more riders have been added to the roster of the Cervélo TestTeam. Great Britain’s Lizzie Armitstead and the Netherlands’ Iris Slappendel, both join the number one women’s team on two year contracts.

20-year-old Armitstead has spent 2009 with the Lotto-Belisol team, having made the switch to road after much success on the track, including a World Championship in the team pursuit. Her biggest result of the season was her 15th place overall in the Giro d’Italia Femminile – behind future Cervélo teammate Claudia Häusler – which earned her the white jersey for best young rider.

“I wanted to be part of the best women’s team in the world,” said Armitstead. “When the opportunity to join the team came along, I couldn’t turn it down. I am excited to race with the riders on the team and also to be able to use the team equipment. My goal for 2010 is to continue my development and learn from the more experienced riders on the team. I would like to be a key member of a winning team.”

Iris Slappendel is a time trial and classics specialist and has spent the past 4 years with the Flexpoint team, which folded at the end of the season. The 24-year-old should reinforce the team’s strength in depth against the clock, especially after the retirement of newly crowned World Champion Kristin Armstrong.

“This is a new step in my career,” said Slappendel. “I am honoured that the best team in the world offered me a contract for 2010. That provides me with a lot of motivation. I have some goals planned as a cyclist and I think that this team suits me the best. My goal for 2010 is to be of value to the team, and if I get the chance I will also go for my own success.”

“Elizabeth is just 20 years old and already is a world champion track rider. She had an incredible track and road season this year,” said Team Manager Thomas Campana. “We saw her for the first time in the Giro d’Italia, where she won the jersey for best overall young rider, and usually the winners of these jerseys are the future champions. She has impressed us with her excellent climbing and sprinting abilities and her good race instincts. We are really delighted to have her on board for next year.”

“Iris is on the team because she is a strong time trialist and team time trial specialist,” continued Campana. “We also needed a strong support rider, especially for the spring classics and to support our sprinter Kirsten Wild. Iris has a lot of potential and we believe we can help her reach her goals,”

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