On the back of the strongest year of his career, Norwegian Lars Petter Nordhaug has inked a deal to move from the British Team Sky to the Dutch Rabobank squad. The 28 year old has signed a two year contract, and will compete there until the end of 2014.
“During my career, I’ve always looked up to the Rabobank team; now I’m very happy I can ride with them,” he said when the move was announced today.
“Sky is a great team, I was satisfied there, but I am ready to develop myself further. There were more teams interested in me. But Rabobank is a strong team with good riders, I really want to ride with them.”
This year the former mountain bike rider appeared to progress a level. He won the Trofeo Deià in Majorca in February and since then took forth overall in the Critérium International, third in both the Tour of Norway and the national time trial championships and second in the Norwegian road race title.
He’s mainly played a supporting role thus far with Team Sky, but may well have more scope for personal ambition with Rabobank. However he makes clear that he is prepared to continue assisting team-mates.
“I hope I can contribute to the team in the classics in the Ardennes and in the competitions with shorter stages. I have showed myself with results, but I am also strong in helping other riders in the race,” he said. “I hope I can fulfil that with Rabobank as well.”
The team had a disappointing Tour de France due to the injuries suffered by its top general classification riders. Whether or not it takes a different approach next year, technical director Erik Breukink believes Nordhaug is going to be a very good addition.
“Lars Petter makes our team stronger in width. He is good on hilly terrain and in heavier races,” he said. “He can play a good role for the team in races with those conditions. He is a team player with a great deal of experience at the top.”