Earlier today Slipstream Sports - the company behind Team Garmin-Sharp - announced in a press release that its Irish rider Dan Martin has extended with the team through 2014.

Martin entered professional cycling in 2008 with Slipstream Sports as part of the then Garmin-Chipotle team.

Martin's palmares include winning the 2008 Route du Sud and the 2008 Irish National Road Race Championship. Martin went on to win the 2010 Tour of Poland, a stage at the 2011 Vuelta a Espana and a stage in the 2011 Tour of Poland. He recently made his Tour de France debut in this year's Tour, capturing three top-ten finishes.

Commenting on his decision to re-sign with Team Garmin-Sharp Martin said "Slipstream Sports has been my home for five seasons and I'm happy to say I will ride in Garmin-Sharp colors for two more years."

"This team feels like family to me, and after the progression we have achieved together since I signed my first contract, it is the only team where I feel that I can continue to achieve my full potential as a bike rider."

"It has been an incredible few months for me with finishing my first Tour de France and competing in the London Olympics, and re-signing with the team just adds to it," Martin concluded.

"Dan turned pro with our organization in 2008 because he shared our vision and our passion and because he believed we were the right fit to help him grow and develop as an athlete. In his first year alone he won Route du Sud and became the Irish National Road Race Champion," Slipsteam Sports CEO Jonathan Vaughters commented.

"He’s continued to show the world what we knew he could do, collecting 3 top-10 finishes for Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda in his recent Tour de France debut. Dan is a champion and we are thrilled that he will continue with us."