Judith Arndt has renewed with the HTC-Highroad team for a further two years, announcing that she will retire at the end of that period. The 34-year-old German has been with the American team since 2006 winning most of the big races on the calendar, including the overall World Cup in 2008. The latest extension to her contract will take Arndt through to the Olympic Games in London in 2012, which will be a big target.
"Sometimes a team change is good just to freshen up, but there's nothing better out there than HTC-Highroad," she said. "We've got a very professional environment and management, and I'm very happy to stay here with HTC-Highroad for another two years."
For Arndt, the continuing presence of fellow German star Ina-Yoko Teutenberg at HTC-Highroad was a big factor deciding to extend with the team, because "when you've got the best sprinter in the world in your line-up, that's always good."
2010 saw Arndt take a number of podium spots, including third overall in the Iurreta-Emakumeen Bira, and second in the Giro d’Italia and the Route de France. She won the fifth German time trial championship of her career, and finished the season strongly with overall victory in the Giro della Toscana and the silver medal in the World time trial championship.
"Last season wasn't really bad,” she added. “I got a lot of good podium places and proved I'm still a World Class rider, but it wasn't very satisfying, either because I didn't win a lot. So I've got a point to prove in 2011. And, London will be a big objective in 2012, my last year as a professional."