Trek Segafredo has confirmed a contract with Pieter Weening for the remainder of the 2020 season, with the 39-year-old Dutchman to provide support and expertise, particularly in the heavily rescheduled race calendar of stage races from July to November He is.

Weening is a stage winner at the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, but was unable to find a team for 2020 after Roompot-Charles was deactivated at the end of the 2019 season. He had a long run with Rabobank and Orica-GreenEdge and wore the pink jersey for four days after winning the 2011 Giro d'Italia in Orvieto.

"My first contact with Pieter was in February. We knew Matteo Moschetti was going to be out for a long time after his crash, so we needed an experienced rider who could fit into the group and race immediately. Pieter is known as a super professional rider and we were confident that he would meet our expectations," explained Luca Guercilena, Trek-Segafredo team manager.

"The Covid-19 craze delayed the recruitment process, but despite these turbulent times for the cycling world, we decided to keep our word and welcome Pieter as part of our team."

Weening, a pro since 2004, joins compatriots Bauke Mollema and Caen de Court at Trek Segafredo. The Dutch rider will be able to train throughout the duration of COVID-19, and Weening is confident that he will be able to adapt quickly to the race.

"I was still hoping to find a team, so I kept training like I do in preseason. I wanted to stay in shape, so I kept training throughout the winter, and when Trek-Segafredo first contacted me in February, I told them I would be ready to race in four to six weeks. There was a proposal, but because of Covid 19 and the interruption in the race calendar, the whole process was suspended," Weening said.

"After discussions with Luca [Guercilena], I had no doubt that the teams would keep their word once the race resumed. At a time when many teams are struggling, it is special that Trek-Segafredo is willing to use new riders. I am very grateful. I'm super motivated to help the team leaders achieve good results in whichever race they are chosen for.

"I'm really happy to have this opportunity and I'm going to give 150% in the last months of the year to help Trek-Segafredo. When racing resumes, I want to contribute to the team so that we can achieve great results for them. I know that we are competitive at the World Tour level and my motivation is very high. It will be a new team, new members, new atmosphere, but I am looking forward to the challenge and to getting back to racing."

Weening becomes Trek-Segafredo's 28th male racer, along with team leader Vincenzo Nibali, Richie Porte, Mollema, Yasper Steiven, and world champion Mads Pedersen.

Trek-Segafredo is currently finalizing its race program, with Nibali targeting the Giro d'Italia in October and Morema and Porte planning to lead the team in the Tour de France in September.