OFFICIAL: Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe signs new classics sensation of Spanish cycling

One of the biggest signings of the transfer season thus far. Oier Lazkano is moving away from Movistar Team and is one of the many quality signings for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe where he will be a leader in the spring classics next year.

It is a story that follows two current trends. The first is Movistar's inability to keep it's leaders. Last year Matteo Jorgenson left towards Team Visma | Lease a Bike where he has had an astounding season so far. This year they once again lost their top UCI point scorer and reigning Spanish champion Alex Aranburu; but also Lazkano, one of the most prominent Spanish riders and one of the few in recent years that has been able to contest results in the cobbled classics.

He was second at Dwars door Vlaanderen last year alongside winning the Spanish title and winning at the Vuelta a Burgos; whilst this year he won the Clásic Jaén Paraiso Interior, finished third in Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne and even in the Top10 of the Criterium du Dauphiné, showcasing his talent all around.

On the other hand we've got Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe who have had a big budget increase last year and in this transfer period are making big moves. Lazkano joins the likes of Laurence Pithie, Finn Fisher-Black and the van Dijke twins from Visma to form a classics block with immense potential (whilst not forgetting Italian climbing talent Giulio Pellizzari). The signing of Jan Tratnik from Visma is also expected soon.

“I’m very excited to join Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe. I think it will be a big step forward in my career," Lazkano said in a press release. "I am very grateful to the team for their confidence in me, working with the biggest names in the sport is an amazing opportunity.”

Ralph Denk, team manager, celebrated another high-level signning: "Oier is still young, but has already made a name for himself with his pure power. His style stands out in modern cycling: attack instinctively and pull through powerfully. It sometimes seems old school, but it is successful and inspires me. We can make good use of this power in the classics, and with Oier we now have even more options for the stage races."