André Greipel has barely raced in the colours of Israel Start-Up Nation in 2020 due to the Covid19-related suspension of racing, but the team has already offered him a two-year extension to his deal.
That new contract, which brings him up to the end of the 2022 season, will mean he remains a WorldTour rider until he is at least 40-years-old.
His deal comes a year after Philippe Gilbert also signed a contract, for three years and with Lotto-Soudal, that will see him race until after he is 40 years old.
Greipel hasn't won a race since the start of last year when he claimed the penultimate stage of La Tropicale Amissa Bongo in Gabon; his only victory riding for Arkéa Samsic in 2019.
However, as recently as 2018 he claimed eight victories and his current employers still clearly believe he has a lot to offer as it seeks to establish itself in the top flight, with Ireland's Dan Martin as Tour de France leader.
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"To tell you the truth, I was expecting that the team would offer me a one-year extension," Greipel said of his two-year contract extension to what was a one-year deal this year.
"Of course I was very flattered and pleased that the team management shows so much trust in me. It was an easy decision to accept the offer, and I am fully ready to prolong my career and help the team keep growing."
He added he still loves racing, enjoyed the atmosphere in the team so far, though he has only ridden a handful of races in Australia without hitting top stride, and he believed he could still take results.
"We all share the responsibility to make this team successful and bring in the results. It may be young and new in the WorldTour, but it's very professional," he said of Israel Start-Up Nation.
"As for me personally, I am ready to go. Actually, I had to hold myself back so as not to go too fast as I want to be fresh and ready for the season restart. I am still capable of producing results, but we all share that responsibility in this team."
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