Team News – Martin Signs for Quickstep

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Dan Martin signing for Etixx – Quick-Step becomes official as they reach an agreement on a two-year contract (2016 and 2017)

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Team News – Martin Signs for Quickstep

Team Press Release
The 29-year-old rider’s talent is diverse, with his palmares demonstrating aptitude for the one-day races and general classifications. His one-day race victories include 2014 Giro di Lombardia, 2013 Liège – Bastogne – Liège, and the Japan Cycle Cup Road Race in 2010. Martin’s stage race success includes being the overall victor at the 2013 Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, as well as the 2010 Tour de Pologne.

Stage 9. Dan Martin

Dan Martin on the attack in the Tour de France.

Martin is also a two-time Tour de Pologne stage winner, and he won the mountainous 9th Stage of the 2013 Tour de France, which arrived in Bagnéres de Bigorre, as well as the 9th Stage of the 2011 La Vuelta a España, which arrived on the Covatilla summit.

Martin has been a top GC finisher in many races throughout his career, including a 2nd place in the 2014 Tour of Beijing, and 7th place in the 2014 edition of La Vuelta a España. Martin finished 2nd on Thursday on Stage 6 of La Vuelta, and he was also 2nd in Stages 8 and 11 of Le Tour de France this season.

“The arrival of Dan Martin is an important moment for the team,” Etixx – Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere said. “He’s a guy who was able in the past to win one-day races, but also stage races. He has also been a GC contender at grand tours during his career. He is now 29-years-old, so he is at the peak of his career. He had an unlucky 2015 early season, but it is clear in his most recent performances, even at La Vuelta, that he has a lot of spirit.

For the team this is also a key addition because Martin can be a presence in the Ardennes Classics, alongside young French rider Julian Alaphilippe. His contributions can be two-fold for Julian. Julian can learn a lot from a seasoned veteran like him. At the same time, Martin is a guy who has proven he can win at the Ardennes. So the peloton respects his presence as a contender, and this alleviates some pressure for Julian.

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Blast from the past, Dan winning the British Junior Road Race Championship

This can be a bit of an Ardennes ‘dynamic duo.’ Martin is a complete rider who is able to perform well in stage races, one-day-races, and grand tours, and we are excited to see what he can do with an Etixx – Quick-Step jersey on his back for the next two years.”

Dan Martin meanwhile said of the signing “I’m really excited to join the team, which has been a point of reference in cycling for years,” Martin said. “I hope to be able to take the next step in my career with Etixx – Quick-Step.”

“I would like to improve even more and establish consistency with my performances. I think I am entering an important moment of my career at my age. I feel I am stronger than ever, mentally and physically. Of course my season will be built around the Ardennes Classics, where I can join forces with Alaphilippe.”

“I hope to teach him some things and help him to evolve as a rider, while playing protagonist when I have the opportunity. I also would like to do well in the stage races, and maybe try again once in a grand tour for a good classification. I think I have potential to be a factor in the grand tours, whether it be stage hunting or in the overall classification.”

“I am motivated to add to my top career performances, while proudly wearing the team colors of Etixx – Quick-Step for the next two years.”

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