Former Milan-San Remo champion and two-time Giro d’Italia stage winner Matt Goss is the latest big-name signing unveiled by ONE Pro Cycling for 2016.
The Australian sprinter, who was also second behind Mark Cavendish at the 2011 World Championship, joins a host of additions to the British team as they prepare to make the step-up to UCI ProContinental level for next season.
Winner of Milan-San Remo in 2011, while riding for HTC-HighRoad, Goss spent last year racing for MTN-Qhubeka after a three-year stint with Orica-GreenEDGE.
And the 28-year-old is looking forward to the challenge of helping the team establish themselves in the second tier.
“I’m really excited to join ONE Pro Cycling, it’s a new challenge and I want to make the most of the opportunity,” the Tasmanian said.
“The team have experienced a lot of success in their first year on the road and they have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming season.
“It’s not often you get the chance to join a fresh new team in which everyone including riders and support staff are motivated by the same end goal.
“I hope that my knowledge and experience will play a key role in helping ONE Pro Cycling achieve the best possible results as they move to Professional Continental level racing. ONE Pro Cycling are still on their way up and I’m sure there are a lot of good things to come.”
Goss is the second Australian rider to join the team’s ranks for next season, with Australian criterium champion Steele von Hoff having made the switch from NFTO.
Despite his past achievements, however, he has endured a barren run of late and seen his star fall somewhat with his last individual win coming back in 2013 at Tirreno-Adriatico.
But CEO Matt Prior believes ONE Pro Cycling can provide the environment for Goss to start hitting top form again.
“I am delighted that Matt will be joining the team as we make the move to Pro Continental level,” the former Ashes-winning England cricketer said.
“We believe we can support Matt in reaching his full potential and help rediscover the form he deserves recognition for.
“The breadth and depth of talent in the team continues to grow with each and every new rider that we announce.
“Matt brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience from the top level of the sport and we know he’ll help us in the direction in which the team is moving.’
A further eight new signing have already been confirmed for 2016, alongside the two Australians, including JLT-Condor duo Kristian House and Richard Handley.
Karol Domagalski (Team Raleigh-GAC), Sebastian Lander (Trefor-Blue Water), John Ebsen (Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec) and rising New Zealand stars Hayden McCormick, James Oram and Dion Smith will also join.
Polish time trial champion Marcin Bialoblocki, Tour of Britain King of the Mountains Pete Williams and former British domestic number one Yanto Barker are among those retained from the team’s debut season, meanwhile.
George Harper, Josh Hunt, Chris Opie and development programme riders Tom Baylis and Sam Williams are also in a squad which will eventually number 20 – leaving space for two new riders still to be confirmed.
Tour Series round winner Jon Mould is one rider who will not be retained however, with the Welshman having been confirmed in JLT-Condor’s 2016 roster.
Topped by Russ Downing, who joins from Cult Energy, the longest-serving British domestic team will also welcome former ONE Pro man George Atkins, British Cycling Elite Road Series champion Steve Lampier (Raleigh-GAC), rising star Chris Lawless (WIGGINS), Stephen Williams (Pedal Heaven), track star Alex Frame and former An Post-Chain Reaction duo Conor Dunne and Ali Slater.
House and Handley aside, the notable omissions from JLT-Condor’s 2016 roster are 2013 Tour de Korea winner Mike Cuming and Felix English.
