Veteran German sprinter Erik Zabel announced Sunday that he will be leaving the T-Mobile team after 13 years.

The 35-year-old Zabel refused to reveal the identity of his new team but reports in the Italian media suggested the rider would compete for the Italianteam Domina Vacanze on a three-year deal.

Zabel said his decision to leave T-Mobile was due to his unhappiness with the German team's latest contract offer, coupled with his frustration at being left out of the Tour de France.

"I think I deserved better," he said.