Former Belgian junior national time trial champion Ben Hermans will end his tenure with Team Radioshack and move to Leopard Trek at the end of the current season. The 25 year old has had a fine two years with the American squad, netting a range of good performances, and will now move to the team of the brothers Schleck and Fabian Cancellara.
“I’m very happy and proud to join Leopard Trek, because it’s one of the most exciting outfits in professional cycling,” he stated.
“This team is all the way professional: the riders are amazing, the staff is great and the equipment is the best available. I’m sure I can further improve my skills here. There's a lot of hard work to come, but I'm ready for that.”
After securing his RadioShack performances with performances such as second and third on stages of the 2009 Vuelta a Burgos, the former Tour de l’Avenir leader rode well in his first year with that squad. He finished sixth, ninth and ninth overall in the Tour of Belgium, Critérium International and Tour of Austria respectively.
This year saw him step things up again, with a win in the Trofeo Inca, second in the mountains classification at the Tour Down Under, third in both the GP Pino Cerami and the Tour de la Région Wallonne and eighth in the Amstel Gold Race.
“We have closely monitored Ben’s results and development and I’m really looking forward to working with him,” said directeur sportif Kim Andersen. “Ben is still young, but he is very professional and has the right attitude. I’m very confident that there is still room for improvement.”
A good climber and solid time trialist, he has already shown well in the hillier Spring Classics. He is prepared to put his personal ambitions on hold for now in helping the team’s leaders.
“My strengths and abilities will suit the team goals in the Ardennes Classics well,” he asserted. “I'm hoping to contribute as much as I can to help the Schleck brothers there.”
One week ago Hermans said that he was deeply disappointed to be passed over for Vuelta a España selection by Team RadioShack. He confirmed then he was leaving the team, and spoke of his frustration not to have had the chance to ride a Grand Tour during his time there.