Rick Zabel has extended his contract with Israel Startup Nation. Zabel will remain with the World Tour team for two more years.

The German, who moved from Katusha-Alpecin this year, becomes the seventh player to sign a two-year contract since May. Tom Van Asbroeck, Andre Greipel, Mads Wurz Schmidt, Jente Biermans, Matthias Brendl, and Alexander Kataford have signed the same deal.

"I'm happy to be on this special team for a few more years in the boat," Zabel said in an ISN press release. 'This team has a special story. I love the team's story and I love the spirit of the team."

"We're kind of an underdog, but we can accomplish big things and do much better than most people expect."

The 26-year-old Zabel has only participated in four races since signing with Israel Startup Nation, including the Tour Down Under and the UAE Tour.

He will restart his season with the Vuelta a Burgos and Milan-San Remo, and said his goal this year is to race the Grand Tours and Classics.

"I trained pretty hard during the Corona so that I will be in good shape when this season starts again. I think I proved during the UAE Tour that I can always deliver results." As for my long-term goal, of course I want to race Grand Tours, and I also want to race classics.

Zabel will share the team next year with four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, following his move from Team Ineos, announced last week. is plenty of room to reshuffle the team around ISN's stars.

Meanwhile, Zabel has made a positive impression on the team staff during his short time with the team, with team manager Kjelll Carlström commenting on his positive attitude and his work on the lead-out train.

"Rick has only been with the team for a few months, but I love the way he conducts himself and especially the way he strengthens the lead-out train. He has a great attitude and will lead our team to success." It's great that he has chosen to continue with us."