Etixx - Quick-Step has reached an agreement with Julian Alaphilippe to extend his contract for two seasons (2016, 2017). The 22-year-old French Rider showed himself in 2014 when he won the 4th Stage of Tour de l'Ain. He also had breakout performances in the 2015 Ardennes Classics, finishing 2nd in La Flèche Wallonne, as well as Liege-Bastogne-Liege. His most recent impressive race was at Tour de Romandie, with a 2nd place in Stage 2 and a 3rd place in the 3rd Stage.

"I am absolutely happy with this choice," Alaphilippe said. "In this team I feel I can develop in the right way, without pressure, and can learn a lot from the staff and from the riders we have on the team. I really found my place within the group. I'm an emotional guy, and I think on this team we share the same passion. We are professional, but among the riders we are good friends. There is a great atmosphere on the team. Etixx - Quick-Step is a team where I want to spend the next two years to improve and become a better and stronger rider. We are a team that is dedicated to success, with a big team tradition for the Classics and one-day races. So in order for me to continue to grow up as a rider, I think this is the best fit. It's also important to have the confidence of the team and Patrick Lefevere. Patrick trusted in me a few years ago when I was a young guy and then I passed through the satellite team of Etixx - Quick-Step before joining the WorldTour team along with Petr Vakoc in 2014. I feel right at home and want to keep this team as my home for the next two years."

"We are happy to close this agreement with Julian," Lefevere, CEO of Etixx - Quick-Step, said. "He's a genuine guy, always happy, but also a rider with a lot of potential. He has a lot to learn, but he is willing to do so. Even we don't know where his potential stops. So we decided to invest in him and give him time to grow up, step-by-step, surrounded by the team and our staff. Julian has paid us back with great results. But he also has a great attitude. He's perfectly integrated in the team and he shares the same values of the organization. He feels like he's part of the team as well, so for us that is important. It is encouraging to know we have riders who believe in our structure that fosters development."