Fortuneo Vital Concept will be able to count on a choice reinforcement next year with the arrival of Gianni Meersman.
Aged 30, Meersman has won two stage wins in the Vuelta. The Belgian Quick Step rider Etixx signed for 1 year for the training of Emmanuel Hubert. This is the third after the arrival of Arnold Jeannesson and Laurent Pichon.
Gianni Meersman: "The team quickly showed an interest in my profile and it touched me. There is a balance between my expectations and the project team. I am in contact with Emmanuel Hubert for several days, I gave him my word, my two victories in the Vuelta change nothing. This is a competitive team with whom I can have the freedom to express myself on some events. The program is very interesting, I enjoy running the sleeves of the Coupe de France and I think also in the Tour de France. The sports management team made me understand that she believed in me. It's very important to have the confidence of the staff and teammates to get results.
I found a French team after the FDJ at the time I did not speak a word of French, it is much better now. My wife is French teacher so if I do not understand all I can ask him (laughs). "
Emmanuel Hubert - General Manager: "The arrival of Gianni is very good news for the team. We bring an experienced racer with numerous wins in Pro Tour. It's going in the right direction. His record speaks for itself: winning two stages in the Vuelta is not nothing, but he also won the Tour de Romandie and the Tour of Catalonia. We welcome the choice of Gianni. It was very busy but he preferred the sports project, this means that it is still very motivated to win races. Coming home, he knows he will be our headlining a number of events that he likes. We needed a recruit like him. "