Kenny Van Hummel has extended his contract with the Skil-Shimano for another year, taking him to the end of 2011. The Dutch sprinter has been with the team since it took its present Professional Continental form in 2006.
This season the 27-year-old has won a stage of the Tour de Picardie and a stage of the Tour of Belgium, as well as taking a number of podium places in races like the Eneco Tour and the Driedaagse De Panne. His opportunities in big races have been limited somewhat this season as the team missed out on invitations to a number of races, including all three Grand Tours.
“The team’s stability and the great, detailed attention given to rider guidance, with a constant focus on improvement, appeal to me,” said Van Hummel. “The team also has ambitions and it’s a great challenge to be able to play a part in that.”
Last year Van Hummel won five races in two weeks, including a stage of the 4 days of Dunkerque and the Dutch Food Classis, which earned him second place in the UCI European Tour behind Italian Giovanni Visconti (ISD-Neri). His best placing in the Tour de France, to which the team was granted a wildcard, was seventh place on stage 10 between Limoges and Issoudun. He was unfortunately forced to abandon the race on stage 17 after crashing on the descent of the Col des Saisies.
With his co-sprinter at Skil-Shimano Robert Wagner departing for the Schleck brothers’ new Luxembourg team, Van Hummel might find himself with more opportunities.