Trek-Segafredo have confirmed that Alberto Contador will be joining their team for the 2017 season. The Spanish multiple Grand Tour winner will be joined by his Tinkoff team-mate Jesús Hernández and Tinkoff directeur sportif Steven de Jongh.
“I am thrilled about the opportunity that is in front of me,” said Contador. “Trek-Segafredo is a very attractive and ambitious project that really inspires me. I had some excellent conversations with the team management, and we have a lot of goals and priorities in common. The big objective is to try and win the most important races on the calendar – first and foremost the Tour de France.”
“The sporting side was the key point in my decision. This team is focused on performance, and there’s a really strong group of riders with experience in all kinds of terrain, not only the mountains. I like that it’s such an open, international group of riders.”
“I am convinced that this team can provide me with the best structure and bring me in the best conditions to the races. I race to win, and I am determined to get intensely invested in this team.”
“Alberto is a formidable rider and a real fighter,” said the team’s General Manager Luca Guercilena. “He’s a champion. There is really no one like Alberto in the current peloton, and we are very happy to welcome him to the team.
“With Alberto, I believe we are taking the next step in developing our team. Next year we’ll be stronger and all-around better and broader.”
Jesús Hernández, Contador’s trusted teammate from 2000 to 2005 and from 2009 to present, is also joining Trek-Segafredo.
“I am really happy to come back to Trek because I also rode a Trek bike in 2009,” said Hernández. “Alberto is like my brother and coming back with him to the Trek family is really something special. It means a lot to me.
“2017 will bring once again a new experience and so I am really looking forward to starting the next season with renewed ambition. Obviously, my main ambition is to support Alberto and the other leaders of the team. When they are happy with my work, I will be happy as well.”
This guy is a proven cheat and in my opinion is a negative in our sport. The less media coverage he gets the better. Riders like him are the reason doping culture is still such a big thing even after such high profile moves against it. The irony that he is moving to Trek is just too funny.