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Garmin sign Dekkers

Published: Oct. 18, 2008
Dutchman Hans Dekkers pipped Tom Boonen to win the 75th Putte-Kapellen.
Dutchman Hans Dekkers pipped Tom Boonen to win the 75th Putte-Kapellen.
Photo: Agence France Presse

Garmin-Chipotle continues to bolster its roster for 2009 and has signed Dutchman Hans Dekkers to a deal to round out its sprinter arsenal.

The news comes just as the 27-year-old Dutchman pipped Tom Boonen on Tuesday to win the final race of the 2008 Belgian calendar at the 75th Putte-Kapellen.

“I think he’s a talented sprinter who hasn’t found a home yet in a team, and has battled a lot of injuries,” Vaughters told VeloNews. “We needed a guy who could help a bit with Tyler, Julian and Sutton, along with being able to play his own chances.”

The Mitsubishi-Jartazi rider worked through the ranks with Rabobank, joining the development squad in 2002 and picked up nine wins in 2005 with the Rabobank continental team.

He turned pro with Agritubel in 2006, earning a stage at the Tour de l’Avenir before securing a stage at the Three Days of West Flanders in 2007 with Agritubel. This year, he posted a handful of top 10s with Mitsubishi-Jartazi before his win this week.

“I think he’ll be a more valuable pick up than some people think,” Vaughters continued. “We’ve taken quite a few guys that people had very little belief in, and turned them around, so I’m betting this will be the latest case.”