Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka have announced that Michael Valgren will be joining the team from 1 January 2019, having signed a two-year contract.

The 26-year-old Dane has had an excellent 2018 for the Astana Pro Team including victory in the Amstel Gold Race, which was the biggest win of his career. This followed his earlier win in February as he captured the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad title, making the decisive break with just over 2 kilometres to go and soloing to an impressive victory. He also finished fourth at the Tour of Flanders.

In addition to his strong Classics campaign, Valgren featured prominently at the Tour de France with three top-10 finishes and was placed just outside of the top-20 in the GC at the Critérium du Dauphiné. He has ridden the Tour de France on four occasions and the Vuelta a Espana once, his debut Grand Tour, and has six professional wins to his name.

“I’m extremely excited to be joining Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka,” said Valgren. “It’s a big opportunity for me to go to a team that’s keen on really building its Classics squad. I really look forward to working with the guys on the team and I see a big future there for myself.

“I’m also really proud to join the team because of what it stands for: its mission to distribute bicycles through the Qhubeka charity. It’s a super-cool mission and I’m really looking forward to being a part of that.

“Right now I can’t wait for 2019 to get going on my new BMC bike, which is obviously also really important these days – the equipment. In that regard Team Dimension Data is right on top of things so I’m sure there will be some great, great years ahead.”

“Michael joining us is a huge coup for Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka,” said Douglas Ryder – Team Principal. “He’s been one of the stand-out riders in 2018, with his victories early on in the year backed up by really strong performances at the Critérium du Dauphiné and at the Tour de France.

“Michael signing is another step in our journey to the top of the sport in particular gives a major boost to our Classics campaign, where he showed such good form earlier in the year.

“Equally important though is how impressed he’s been by the Qhubeka charity and the opportunity he now has, as one of our riders, to make a meaningful impact in changing lives through bicycles. We can’t wait to get started with him as we continue to build towards our ambitious Vision 2020 goal.”

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