Levi Leipheimer has inked a two-year deal with Lance Armstrong's new RadioShack team, the U.S. cyclist confirmed Tuesday.
"There were other possibilities, but I've signed with the best team in the world, an American team that's going to sign more American riders," Leipheimer said.
Seven-time Tour de France winner Armstrong announced the new team during the Tour de France. He finished third overall in the Tour while racing for Astana, his first participation in the race since securing his seventh yellow jersey in 2005, after which he retired.
Leipheimer, one of Armstrong's Astana teammates, broke his right wrist in stage 12 of the Tour and was forced to withdraw.
Leipheimer said he plans to race the Tour of California, the Dauphiné Libéré and the Tour de France in 2010.
"Those are my three favorite races and top my objectives for next year," he said.
Belgian media reported last week that Belgians Sebastien Rosseler and Gert Steegmans are set to join the new RadioShack squad, which is set to be managed by current Astana team manager Johan Bruyneel.
Bruyneel, who has accumulated nine Tour de France victories as a team manager - seven of which were with Armstrong – still has to negotiate his way out of the remaining year left on his contract with Astana.
VeloNews (Agence France Presse - 9/1/2009)
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