According to Cannondale's general manager Roberto Amadio, Ted King will represent the Italian team for at least one more year.
While multiple previous reports said the American rider was without a contract next season, "His future with Cannondale was never questioned." Amadio told VeloNews.
One has to think that the team's sponsorship, the Cannondale company, a bike manufacturer based in Connecticut, US, played a role in team's decision to retain King. Amadio agreed with that, but being one of the few American cyclists not in an American-based team, King has a lot to offer other than just the nationality.
"He's an intelligent rider, he can express himself well," said Amadio. With King being probably much more famous for his blog-writing ability on his personal website than his ability on the bike, "He has a big appeal and is popular with the American fans, which is important for the sponsor."
Still, Amadio think the American rider can help the team on the bike as well. "He's a team player, he was there in all the races." King was exactly there in the cobbled classics this year, played a role when Sagan won Gent - Wevelgem and podiumed both E3 and Ronde van Vlaanderen.
King represented Cannondale in the Tour de France this year, too, although he was very unlucky. He crashed in stage 1 and injured his shoulder, later he was dropped almost immediately from the start line by his own team in stage 4, the team time trial. King had to finish the stage on his own. Despite going all out, he was judged out of time limit by the Tour officials, although the American protested after the race, saying he actually finished in time.
Now confirmed to stay for one more year at the Italian team, King will get the chance to race the Tour once again. "I'm convinced that he will have his chance next year. Of course, there will be a team selection based on who's in form and who's best suited, but he should be there in the classics and Tour de France," said Amadio.
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