Daniel Lloyd has signed an extension to his contract with the Cervelo Test Team until the end of 2011 after a strong season that obviously impressed his bosses at the squad.
Lloyd was signed to the Professional Continental-level squad at the start of its inaugural 2009 season, and has now been offered a further two-year deal.
"I am delighted to have signed a contract extension with Cervelo Test Team. This year they gave me my first opportunity to compete at the top level of the sport," said Lloyd.
"Despite the fact that the team is less than a year old, we already have a great ethos and atmosphere, and I'm really looking forward to continuing with that over the next two seasons. I am already thinking about next year's race goals, and continuing with product development and supporting fan access."
Lloyd started the 2009 season strongly, with a fourth place in the Tour of Qatar. Throughout the season, the man from Dorset has played a key supporting role to his Cervelo team mates, including at the Giro d'Italia in May, where he got a last-minute call up.
"Daniel is a really strong support rider for the classics group, and he proved at this year's Giro d'Italia that he can also perform the same role in stage races," said Cervelo team manager Thomas Campana.
"Daniel is very focused on the success of the team, and that is exactly the kind of rider with whom we want to work."
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For Lloyd, it represents some security in a notoriously uncertain job market. "I signed a two-year deal originally, but they have been really happy with me. Usually, I have been scrabbling around for what ever I could get, so it is really nice to be able to look two years in advance and know that I am sorted," he said.
Lloyd's early season form with Cervelo gave him a flying start at the newly-established outfit. "I love it. I have found my forte this year with some of the classics. The group we have got for those races is incredible."
The 29 year old now takes a break having moved back to his native Dorset. Has he started planning his 2010 campaign? "I have in my head, but not yet with the team," said Lloyd. "I would like to start out at Qatar again, then the biggest event I have in my head is the Tour of Flanders. I would like to shine there again and do as well as I can for the team.
"And possibly Milan-San Remo. I didn't get a start in that this year, but around that time of year is where I really want to go well and prove myself."
The former mountain biker also shone at the Eroica on the dirt tracks of Tuscany, featuring in the final selection before cramping on the final climb. "If we are doing the Eroica again I will give it a good shot," he said.
The Swiss-based squad has also announced that it has re-signed German Andreas Klier until December 2011.
Related links
Daniel Lloyd: Rider Profile
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Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
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