2009 Belgian time trial champion, Maxime Monfort, will make the move from HTC-High Road to the new Luxembourg cycling project on a three year deal. The Walloon relayed the good news on his website this morning.
"It's official! I am very proud to announce that I signed a three year contract with the new team in Luxembourg."
Monfort, who will turn 28 in January, is ready to move beyond the sprint focused agenda of Team Cavendish and to the terrain that he has always shown himself to be amongst the world's best in - the hills.
"I enjoyed working for the greatest sprinters in the world, but I think my work will be much better on hilly courses."
The native of Bastogne has only kind words for his last two years at HTC, but heading towards thirty, Monfort wanted a change of direction to the one that he feels is the absolute correct one for him…and justifiably so.
"This is a new challenge for me. I learned a lot over the last two seasons alongside very great racers, but I felt I needed to redirect my career somewhat.
The winner of the Bayern Rundfahrt in 2010 will be an important team player for the Schlecks come next July, but he will also get his chance in the lesser stage races throughout the year.
"The 2011 season will be filled with different goals for myself. On the one hand, I will be a protected rider in stage races outside of the World Tour calendar, and on the other, I will play the role of domestique in the Wallonian Classics and especially the Tour de France."
Monfort always seemed a good fit for the new Luxembourg team if only for his geographical proximity to the country, less than ten miles from the border of Luxembourg, and more importantly, with his capabilities as an all-arounder. His time trialing capacities will be of great use to the team in the team time trial next July to start with, then Monfort can accomplish both a role as a big engine in the flats, and also an able assistant heading into the big mountains. There's no question - Monfort is looking to France and July 2011.
"It's nine months until the end of July - I'm already very motivated by the idea of being part of the team of the potential winners of the Tour."
Speaking with La Gazzetta dello Sport a few days ago, Monfort had already confirmed his signing, but, like everyone else on the team, cannot say more until the official team announcement.
"The contract is already signed, but I cannot say anything about my new team."