Cycling: Dean extends contract

New Zealand road cyclist Julian Dean will continue racing for American ProTeam Garmin Slipstream after signing a two-year contract extension.

The contract expires one year out from the London Olympics, which Dean said would give him time to decide if he wanted to compete in the Olympics again.

The signing caps a remarkable year for the Dean, in which the European-based rider completed all three "Grand Tours".

Dean was the only cyclist this year to finish all 63 stages of the Tour of Italy, Tour of France and Tour of Italy, a rare achievement for a sprint/support specialist.

- NZPA