| Team Sunweb are pleased to announce the extension of contracts with Max Kanter (GER), Florian Stork (GER) and Joris Nieuwenhuis (NED) from the team's Development Program. All already in contract with the team until the end of 2017, Kanter and Stork extend for an additional year, until the end of 2018. Nieuwenhuis extends for one additional year within the Development Program before he makes the step up to WorldTour level until the end of 2020 and will combine both a cyclo-cross and road calendar.
During their time with the team all three riders have shown their huge potential. One of Germany's biggest up and coming talents, Kanter took the win at the U23 national road championships and has shown his ability to excel in various types of races. Stork, another young German, is an extremely versatile rider who is able to play a strong support role and has already his some huge potential, even racing at professional level races. Nieuwenhuis had a stellar cross season with numerous victories, including a win at the U23 world cyclo-cross championships in January this year. During the road season the young Dutchman has taken some time out to recover from a collarbone fracture, but in his time racing on the road has shown some solid results.
Kanter said: "I'm really pleased to stay with the team. There is a huge focus on my long term development with a solid support structure and as a young rider that is exactly the type of environment I need to be in. I already feel like I have taken some positive steps in my development and I'm looking forward to the coming year with the team to continue this momentum."
Stork said: "The decision to stay with the team was an easy one to make. I identify with the team's values perfectly and the opportunities that the team provides means that this is the perfect environment for me to be in. I've had a great first year with the team and the atmosphere is great. I've made some really good steps in my development and I am looking forward to taking more good steps together to develop into a professional."
Nieuwenhuis said: "I'm really happy with my contact extension and pleased that the team is taking up the challenge with me to combine a cyclo-cross and road program. It's a dream come true to be able to chase a cyclo-cross career and also enter the WorldTour peloton on the road. The cooperation in the team is really good and we are on the same page for my long term development." | 