Tyler Farrar gets another year with Garmin-Sharp

Tyler Farrar will stay with Garmin-Sharp in 2014, telling Belgian journalists he has re-signed with the American team for one more season.

Farrar won Saturday’s third stage at the Eurometropool Tour in Belgium in what’s his first victory on European pavement since 2011.

Farrar told reporters there he would stay with Garmin for next season, ending speculation on where the top American sprinter would ride in 2014.

Last month, Farrar told VeloNews he was “stressed” that he was ending the Vuelta a España without securing his professional future.

“I’ve been racing pro since I was 19,” Farrar said. “I’m stressed not to have something firmed up yet.”

Farrar has ridden with Garmin since 2008, enjoying his biggest wins, including stages in all three grand tours.

Team boss Jonathan Vaughters, however, is taking the team in a new direction, focusing on GC and young riders. Several riders are leaving the team, including lead-out man Robert Hunter, Danish trackie Alex Rasmussen, and classics talent Martijn Maaskant.

Farrar had not won a European race since his 2011 Tour de France stage victory, though he defended his record.

“Many count only victories,” Farrar said Saturday. “I finished this season 20 times in the top five, something almost nobody knows. And there were many second places. That proves I can still be in the game in the sprints.”

Farrar will have another shot at victory Sunday, and then will race Paris-Tours next weekend, hoping to close out his season on a high note.