Following the collapse of the promising Pegasus team, most riders managed to scurry off to new opportunities. Germany's Markus Eichler was left without an employer for quite some time though. Fortunately, he managed to find himself a home for 2011, unfortunately, he's making a significant step down for the season - all the way to the Continental level with the young German outfit, Team NSP.
Eichler is a great score for the young team. His experience as a professional at the ProTour level over the past four years and eight years of professional experience in total will make him a definite leader where 11 out of the team's 14 riders are 24 or younger.
Team director, Lars Wackernagel, was pleased to announce his new signing to Rad-Net.de.
"Markus will be our captain in the one day races. With his experience from eight years as a professional cyclist, he will be a great pillar of support for our young team."
Eichler, who was no doubt left reeling following the downfall of the Pegasus team, seems to have hit his stride again and is looking forward to the challenge of working with the upstart German squad.
"It is very appealing to me to act as an extended arm of the team management. I want to help form NSP into a powerful team. There are many young talents gathered here who have what it takes to make their way in professional cycling. If I can be a reference point for the guys and also score a win or two for the team this year, that would be great."
The 28 year old rider, whose birthday is only a week away, raced for Milram for the last three years. Eichler is a great Classics talent with, like a lot of Milram's old team, a lot of unrealized potential.
The German had a respectable 2010 season highlighted by victory at the 1.1 ranked, Batavus ProRace/Ronde van Friesland. It was his first win in some time, but he has made his mark in high level one day races in the past, including 4th at Le Samyn in 2009, 5th at the Nokere Koerse in 2007, 8th overall at the Driedaagse De Panne in the same year, 14th at the Omloop Het Volk in 2008, and 16th at the Dwars Door Vlaanderen, also in 2008.