Luis Mainzhes has signed with Circus Wantigobert, which will compete at the World Tour level in 2021, after purchasing the license held by the CCC team. The South African, a transfer from NTT Pro Cycling, is likely to remain in the peloton next season under the Qhubeka banner, albeit with a reduced budget.

Meintjes finished eighth overall in the 2016 and 2017 Tour de France, but has struggled to climb such heights since. He was 36th overall at the most recent Giro d'Italia. In a statement released by his new team, he said that he hopes to not only aim for a top overall finish in the 2021 Grand Tour, but also to find success in shorter stage races.

"Next year I want to focus on the Grand Tours and shine. I also want to prove that I can reach my best level in week-long World Tour races like the Tour of Catalunya and the Criterium du Dauphiné, and I look forward to getting to know the definitive calendar for 2021, especially the courses."

Meintjes turned pro in 2013 and spent most of his professional career with NTT (formerly MTN-Qhubeka and Dimension Data) in South Africa, but raced for Lampre (later UAE Team Emirates) in 2016 and 2017.

The 28-year-old described his move to Circus Wantigover as a "new challenge," but noted that he already had extensive experience racing in Belgium as an amateur; in 2011 he joined UC Sailing, and the following year he joined Lot Belisol's U-23 team.

"The atmosphere in Belgium is very familiar. Before I turned pro, it all started in Belgium. I can't wait to get back into the Belgian cycling culture."

Roman Kreuziger (Gazprom Rusvelo), Edvald Boasson Hagen (Total Direct Energie), Ben King (Rally Cycling), Ben O'Connor (AG2R-Citroen), Michael Valgren (EF Pro Cycling), Mainzheiss is the latest to announce his departure from NTT.

Despite this exodus and the loss of title sponsor NTT, Cycling News reports that director Doug Ryder is likely to keep the team alive next year thanks to support from the Asos apparel brand.

Mainchess is one of the notable signings of the Circus Wantigovert ahead of its promotion to the WorldTour in 2021, with Line Taaramae (Total Direct Energie), Jan Hilt (CCC Team), Baptiste Plancaert ( Bingoal Wallonie Bruxelles), followed by Bingoal Wallonie Bruxelles).

In recent weeks, Circus Wanty Gobert also announced the addition of Valerio Piva from CCC as Director Sportif and former Sunweb coach Ike Visbeek as Performance Manager.

"The addition of Louis Maintus to our team will strengthen our team for the mountain races of the World Tour. He has already proven his ability with two top 10 finishes in the Tour de France. I am confident that his career will accelerate even further at Circus Wantigovert," Visbeck said.

"Louis has reached a mature age and this new, ambitious environment in which he has matured will motivate him to step up to a higher level. We will establish a program that suits him, focusing on WorldTour mountain stage races like the Tour de Romandie, the Criterium du Dauphiné and the Tour de France."

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