Giant-Shimano have extended the contracts of Roy Curvers, Bert De Backer, Albert Timmer and Thierry Hupond. On the other hand, Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, Jonas Ahlstrand, Dries Devenyns, Tom Peterson and Thomas Damuseau will all leave the team, with only the former having announced a new squad.

Team Giant-Shimano is happy to announce that four riders have recently renewed their contracts with the team, with Roy Curvers, Bert De Backer, Thierry Hupond and Albert Timmer renewing their agreements with Team Giant-Shimano.

All four riders have been with the team since 2008, and they continue their commitment to Team Giant-Shimano as influential peers who have a big impact on the younger, developing riders in the line-up. The experience and guidance that these riders are able to pass on is invaluable in this regard, and all four have continued to show progress this season.

De Backer renews for another three seasons, while Curvers will be with the team for at least another two. Hupond has renewed until the end of 2015, while Timmer already had a contract through 2015 with the team but following another strong season has put pen to paper to continue the relationship until the end of 2016.

Team Giant-Shimano coach, Rudi Kemna said: “All four have developed well again this year within the team and are stronger than ever. Roy is a really important rider in the team as one of our captains and in this he plays a key role in the results of others. Bert is also still developing and is a key rider in the classics as well as being experienced in preparing the sprints. As a captain in these races he makes a real difference. Albert and Thierry also both showed they are still progressing with strong results this season. Like with Roy and Bert, we don’t just look to their results, but at the role these riders have in the team and the impact they have in races. I am happy that we can continue to move forward with these riders.”

“I am very proud to be continuing with the team that I have developed with,” said Curvers. “Together we have progressed each year and I am not planning for my development to stop. There are always new challenges involved with the role I have in the team as captain, and it is a role I find very satisfying. I am glad to see that the team want to continue with me too and that they appreciate my role. I may be older than most riders here but the team know what they have with me, and I know what I can expect from them.”

De Backer also gave his input, saying: “This is a very important contract in my career, I have been part of the team for many years and want to continue here as I know the environment and know what kind of role I can play. I have seen myself developing in a captain’s role in the sprints and classics and want to continue this process. I thank the team for their confidence in me especially after a hard second half of the season with injury but I am as motivated as ever to keep challenging my strengths and weaknesses both on and off the bike together with the team.”

“It’s really nice to be able to continue with the team,” said Timmer. “I have been here already now for seven years and there’s a lot of trust there now between us. I feel that this year I’ve become stronger again and have really showed that when I get the opportunity I can take it and challenge for a win. From the first race until now I have felt at a good level and I think I have shown this. I feel very comfortable here, it’s like a real group of friends and that is what makes it special. There’s a great atmosphere and everybody gets the opportunity to progress and to show themselves.”

“I am really happy to be continuing with the team and to continue the adventure,” added Hupond who took his first professional win at the 4 Jours de Dunkerque this May. “I’ve been improving and developing with the team every year and that showed again with my win earlier this season. I have had a really good year with Team Giant-Shimano and I hope that 2015 will be even better.”

The contracts of Jonas Ahlstrand, Thomas Damuseau, Dries Devenyns, Reinardt Janse van Rensburg and Tom Peterson have not been renewed.