Orica-BikeExchange has announced the signing of Roman Kreuziger for the 2017 season. Kreuziger, who has signed a two-year deal, has been brought on board to boost the team’s Grand Tour potential, a decision that that directeur sportif Matt White has called ‘game-changing’.
Kreuziger will join from the Tinkoff Team, which is set to fold at the end of the season. The Czech rider finished 10th at last month’s Tour de France after his team leader Alberto Contador was forced to abandon at the end of the first week.
“Orica-BikeExchange was an easy choice for me when I started to consider my next team and my future as a rider,” Kreuziger said. “I really admire the ambitions they have going onwards, and I want to fully apply myself to help their young riders go for the ultimate success in the Grand Tours.”
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The Orica team has been increasingly focused on its Grand Tour prospects thanks to the development of Esteban Chaves, and Adam and Simon Yates. Last season saw a big shuffle in their roster as they brought in the likes of Ruben Plaza and Amets Txurruka to work in the mountains in place of their stage-hunters such as Simon Clarke. The shift in emphasis was successful with Chaves claiming second overall at the Giro d’Italia, while Adam Yates rode to fourth at the Tour de France.
That focus is becoming sharper with the departure of Michael Matthews expected at the end of the season. Kreuziger joins Spanish climber Carlos Verona, who is due to make a mid-season transfer from Etixx-QuickStep to the Australian team.
“Roman is a real game-changing signing for us,” White said. “He is not only one of the classiest and strongest riders at WorldTour level, but he also brings a wealth of experience having worked for the best GC riders in the world. “He will be one of the riders who can make the difference for our young riders at the Tour de France in the attempt to go for the podium.
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