Jan Hirt set to reinforce Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team's mountain lineup

Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team hit early and hard on the transfers market, bringing in three quality riders into the coming seasons. Jan Hirt was the option brought up to provide the team with added climbing firepower, in a move that had been expected for months.

Hirt, currently riding the Sazka Tour for Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux, is a pure climber who is having in 2022 his best season to date. He's won the queen stage and overall classification at the Tour of Oman, but has most noticeably taken a stage win and finished sixth at the Giro d'Italia with a strong and consistent performance in the mountains.

The 31-year old will be likely playing a support role for Remco Evenepoel, similar to what he has done with several other climbers in the past, but is likely to have his own freedom on some races if he carries the performances of this season.

Team manager Patrick Lefevere commented on the signing of the Czech climber: "And we have Jan Hirt, who brings his climbing talents. He has been strong for a number of years, as we saw in this year’s Giro d’Italia. He has the talent to make results for himself but he also works really hard for others.”