Roman Kreuziger has signed with Gazprom Rusvelo for the 2021 season. He joins the Russian professional team from NTT Pro Cycling on a one-year contract.

"I got a really good energy and impression from the team management in our first online meeting," Kreuziger said in a statement released by his new team.

"I could see that they are very confident and will be able to start preparing calmly for the upcoming season. There are a lot of very solid riders on the market right now.

Kreuziger became the latest rider to confirm his departure from NTT Pro Cycling after Edvald Boasson Hagen's move to Total Direct Energie was announced on Tuesday, but according to Cycling News, Doug Ryder's team will continue in 2021 It appears they will continue with a reduced budget.

Meanwhile, Gazprom Rusvelo has already signed Ilnur Zakarin from the CCC for 2021, and the team is hoping for a wildcard invite, having previously competed in the Giro d'Italia in 2016 and 2017.

"I will share my experience with the younger riders and of course help Ilnur Zakarin in the GC contention. I hope to be invited to the Giro d'Italia next season.

"For my part, I would like to participate in one-day races, especially the Ardennes Classics, which I love. Another big goal is the Tokyo Olympics."

Kreuziger turned pro in 2006 in Liquigas. He then raced in Astana and spent four years with the Saxo Bank/Tinkoff team before joining Mitchelton Scott in 2017 and moving to Dimension Data (later NTT) in 2019.In 2014, Kreuziger was suspended for 2011-2012 related biological passport He was provisionally suspended for alleged violations, but the case was later dismissed.

The 34-year-old Kreuziger has competed in 18 Grand Tours, including wins at the Tour de Suisse (2008) and the Amstel Gold Race (2013) and fifth places at the 2011 Giro d'Italia and 2013 Tour de France.

Kreuziger is in his 16th year as a professional rider, his first outside the World Tour level, but he insisted he is not without ambition.

"Someone might think I'm pretty old because I've been involved in professional cycling for this long. So I'm only 34, I feel good, and I have ambitions to race longer seasons."

Kreuziger added that Dmitry Konyshev's proximity to Lake Garda also encouraged him to join the team. He said, "Dmitry lives very close to my home in Italy, so we will be able to meet regularly to get his expert advice and feedback."

Gazprom Rusvelo coach Renato Kamidulin welcomed Kreuziger's arrival and said the Czech player has "two main goals" with the team: "to be a support rider for Zakarin and to be a high individual results player."

Best Deal of the Day: USA

Deal of the Day: UK [29]