Astana Proteam have announced that young Norwegian rider Truls Korsaeth will join the team for the next two seasons. The 23-year-old rider comes to Astana from Team Joker – Byggtorget, a Norwegian continental team where he spent the last four years.

"To become a professional rider of the WorldTour level has been my biggest dream for a long time. In 2017, this dream will finally become a reality thanks to Astana Pro Team, which has believed in me and asked me to join their team in its big project. This is a huge step ahead, so I'm really excited and grateful for the opportunity. I would also like to thank Team Joker – Byggtorget, where I've spent the last seasons, for allowing me to develop as a rider and giving me a chance to reach a professional level with Astana Team. Now, all my thoughts are about my first season in the WorldTour," said Truls Korsæth.

Despite his age, Korsæth has already proved himself as a strong TT specialist. In 2013 he won a team time trial of the Circuit des Ardennes, while he won the Duo Normand in 2014. In 2015, he was third in the Ronde van Vlaanderen Beloften and in the individual time trial of the Norwegian National Championships and he won the Chrono des Nations U-23. In 2016, he won a stage of the Tour de Gironde and impressed at the Worlds.

"Even though the team was already presented a few weeks ago, we decided to complete Astana roster with one more rider. We found a possibility to invite another rider and we chose Truls Korsaeth. He spent a very good season, while at the World Championships he impressed with the way he helped Alexander Kristoff on the hard route in Doha. Korsaeth joined us in the final part of the training camp in Calpe, so we had a chance to see his potential once again. On the continental level Truls showed some good results in time trials and one-day races, so I am sure that in Astana he will find all conditions for his further development. We hope, he can strengthen our team in classic races," explained general manager Alexandr Vinokurov.