Earlier today High Road Sports - The organization behind Team HTC-High Road (HTC-Columbia) - announced that it has added 2010 German national road champion Charlotte Becker to its international women's roster for 2011.

Becker, 28, is an accomplished track rider and has just wrapped up a successful year of road racing for Cervelo TestTeam, punctuated with a victory in the Spanish World Cup race, GP Ciudad de Valladolid.

"I am happy that I have the chance to ride with HTC-Highroad," Charlotte Becker told Roadcycling.com and added "I think it's a great team, and it has been a long-time dream for me to ride for this team.  I had a good season this year and signing on with HTC-Highroad is the perfect conclusion. I hope that I will be a helpful part of the 2011 season."

"Charlotte will be important to our team's success since she will strengthen our classics squad and our time trials," women's Team HTC-Highroad sports director Ronny Lauke commented, referencing Becker's second place finish in the German National ITT contest this season. "She is top ten in the world ranking, and she still has a lot of potential for future success."

Becker rode for Team Red Bull-Stadtwerke Frankfurt Oder in 2005, Team Fenixs-Colnago in 2006, Team Nürnberger Versicherung from 2007-2009, and for Cervelo TestTeam in 2010.

Team HTC-High Road reportedly also signed South African rider Carla Swart for 2011, exemplifying the team's keen wish to spot and support cycling's future stars.  According to a team spokesperson "Swart, 22, is a talented young, up-and-coming rider who after only a couple of years racing, finished in the top ten at the 2010 World Championships competition in Melbourne."

"I'm thrilled to join this team, with its veteran riders and all the team has to offer.  It's a great opportunity and I look forward to contributing to the team's success in 2011," Swart said in a statement.