BERLIN, Jan. 12, 2011 (AFP) – Former sprinter Erik Zabel joined the organizing committee of the Hamburg Cyclassics, the only cycling event in
Germany on the World Tour calendar, the organizers announced Wednesday.

Zabel, 40, will initially occupy the position of Sports Director before becoming director of the race and succeed Roland Hofer.

The former rider of Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile and Milram, sixfold winner of the green jersey of the Tour de France, won the race in 2001.

He ended his racing career in 2008.