Thor Hushovd, Norwegian Road Race Champion, nine-time Tour de France stage winner and 2009 green jersey winner, will ride for Team Garmin-Cervélo in 2011. Team Garmin-Transitions and Cervélo SA announced last week they will join forces for the 2011 season to create a new team that will be known as Team Garmin-Cervelo.

"I'm proud to join Team Garmin-Cervélo in 2011. Cervélo has been a great supporter for the past two years and its partnership with Garmin feels like a good fit," Norwegian God of Thunder Thor Hushovd commented and added "I chose Garmin-Cervélo because I have a lot of respect for what Jonathan Vaughters has done for cycling, because I think we'll have a very strong, competitive team, and because I'll be able to continue to work with Cervélo. I look forward to seeing what we can all do together next year."

Hushovd started racing at age 9 and went on to win the under-23 time trial world championship and the under-23 versions of Paris-Roubaix and Paris-Tours. He turned professional in 2000 and is considered one of the best sprinters, time trialists, and Classics riders in the world. Hushovd has twice finished in the top three of Paris-Roubaix - his favorite race - and will focus on a strong Classics campaign with Team Garmin-Cervélo.

"We are incredibly excited to bring Thor to the team in 2011," said Jonathan Vaughters, CEO of Slipstream Sports. "One of our goals is to become stronger in the Classics, and adding a world-class rider like Thor will get us there. He's an exceptionally talented rider and a great fit for our new team."

"I'm going to focus my season on the Classics," said Hushovd. "My biggest goal is to get one major Classics victory in 2011. I've come close over the past few years so I will build on that experience and hopefully, stand on the podium with my new team." Look for Hushovd to sparkle in the 2011 Paris-Roubaix.