AG2R La Mondiale announced Monday that Oliver Naessen has extended his contract with the team through 2023. The Belgian Classics specialist said it was a sign of confidence that the team offered him a three-year contract.

"I am very happy to extend for three more seasons, it is a sign of trust from the AG2R La Mondiale team, since 2017 the team has not stopped progressing, both in the sport and in its structure and approach. What is working well here, why would we want it elsewhere?" Nessen said in a press release for the French team.

"The group of classic racers is improving every year and will get even better in the future. The atmosphere in the team is very good. They are very motivated for the upcoming season."

Nessen has been with AG2R La Mondiale since 2017 and previously raced for IAM Cycling, TopSport Vlaanderen Valoise, Siebel, and Lot Belisol.

He excelled in the classics, winning two Bretagne Classics, finishing second in Milan-San Remo, twice second overall in the Eneco Tour, third in Ghent-Wevelgem and Paris-Tours, and winning the Belgian Championships.

"It is with great satisfaction that we have extended the contract with Oliver Naessen for three more years," said team manager Vincent Lavenu. [Oliver is one of the team's executives and has grown with us. He is now one of the best classic racers in the world and we will build a successful team by his side to help him achieve his sporting goals"

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"It's not just his quality as a rider, but his humanity, values, and joie de vivre that are so important to the life of the entire team."

This year, Nyssen competed in a series of spring stage races and one-day events before the cycling season was suspended due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

The UCI has announced a revised World Tour calendar that includes a number of major one-day classics, beginning with Strade Bianche on August 1.

The Tour de France has been moved from August 29 to September 20, the Giro d'Italia from October 3 to 25, and the Vuelta a España from October 20 to November 8.

"It was a very unusual situation for everyone, but we can't wait to start the racing season again on August 1," Nyssen said.

"Having the Tour de France before the Classics is ideal for an athlete like me. The calendar is busy, but not overloaded.