Gilbert Joins Etixx-Quickstep as Katusha Signs Martin
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Aug 16, 2016 – Three-time world time-trial champion Tony Martin of Germany will ride for Katusha the next two seasons, the Russian team announced on Monday. Conversely, Belgium’s former world road race champion Philippe Gilbert will join Etixx next season, the team announced on Tuesday.
AFP/Yuzuru Sunada
Martin won three successive world titles between 2011 and 2013, also picking up a silver medal at the London Olympics, but the 31-year-old finished well off the podium in Rio last week. He will leave Etixx at the end of the year having joined the Belgian outfit in 2012.
“What convinced me the most to make the move was the fact that the team directors and the team manager really believe in me,” said Martin, a five-time stage winner on the Tour de France. “I will be able to obtain more results than I have had so far. They have convinced me that I can still improve.”
Belgium’s former world road race champion Philippe Gilbert will join Etixx next season, the team announced on Tuesday.
Gilbert, 34, became just the second rider to sweep all three Ardennes classics in 2011 before claiming the world title a year later. However, he trailed home well off the pace in last week’s road race at the Rio Olympics and will leave BMC after five seasons.
“I was in contact with (Etixx team owner) Patrick Lefevere since my U23 spell and now I finally have the chance to ride here,” said Gilbert, who has also recorded stage wins on all three Grand Tours. “I’m looking forward to next season and I hope to be competitive and bring my contribution and experience to the classics and to the other important races the team will target.”