Lampre-Merida officials confirmed Thursday that Vuelta a España champion Chris Horner will join the Italian team for 2014.
As VeloNews first reported, the 42-year-old Horner ends his long odyssey to secure a new team, and will ride as GC captain for both the Giro d’Italia and defend his Vuelta crown.
Lampre officials confirmed the news early Thursday morning in Europe on the squad’s Twitter account: “Yes, now it’s official! @hornerakg is a @Lampre-Merida rider! Welcome on board Chris! (Soon all the official details from our website).”
The Italian sport daily La Gazzetta dello Sport ran a full-page article in today’s edition, reporting that ongoing negotiations were concluded this week. Horner is penned in to debut at the Mallorca Challenge next month in Spain and will carry GC duties at both the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta.
Horner played a patient hand in searching for a new contract for 2014. Horner said he turned down an offer from Trek Factory Racing and later dropped his longtime manager to sign ex-pro Baden Cooke to help expedite the late-hour search.
With many squads filling up their rosters and running out of money, Horner was linked to such minor teams as Christina Watches and Caja Rural, but Horner insisted he would ride for a UCI ProTeam.
The move will also bolster Lampre, which has languished in the grand tours the past few seasons. The departure of Michele Scarponi to Astana created a void the team wanted to fill, and Horner fits the bill perfectly.
Horner’s arrival also comes as Lampre is revitalizing its lineup under new manager Brent Copeland, who joined the team in October.
Along with the arrival of world champion Rui Costa, who will lead in the Tour de France, Sacha Modolo, who won the final stage in the Tour de San Luis, brings new firepower for the sprints. Diego Ulissi, who won a stage and finished second overall at the Santos Tour Down Under, is also taking a step up this season.
Check back for more details.
The post Lampre confirms signing of Chris Horner for 2014 season appeared first on VeloNews.com.
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