Stepping down to Pro Continental level following five years spent in the Team Sky outfit, Edvald Boasson Hagen eventually commented on new challenges he expects to meet while joining MTN-Qhubeka for 2015 season.

“It’s going to be a good team with a good bunch of riders so it’s something to look forward to. I’ve been with Team Sky for five years now and I’ve enjoyed it but it’s time to try something different.” 

Boasson Hagen won several important events as a Team Sky rider, but never managed to live up to huge expectations as a classics specialist. The current season seemed to be his worse, as the 26-year old Norwegian suffered from injuries, illness and too visible lack of motivation, what reportedly made the British team reluctant to offer him a new contract with the same salary.

Regardless if financial matters were decisive or not, Boasson Hagen certainly needed a new source of motivation to push his professional career forward, and the South African team apparently promised to provide him with such.

Even though Pro Continental squads are unable to offer particular race programme in advance as they are forced to rely on wildcard invitations granted by organizers, the 26-year old Norwegian is claims it’s not going to make a huge difference.

“At first I was a bit concerned but I don’t think that it’s going to make any big difference,” Boasson Hagen told Cyclingnews during his recent WorldTour race programme in Canada.

“The programme of races we’ll do will still be strong and the management and staff are all good. It’s a big team so the change isn’t a massive difference.”

“I’m looking forward to next year but a lot depends on the race programme that we’re going to have. I want to do my best and race the best I can for the team. Everything depends on the race programme so maybe there will be some changes but we’ll have to plan that at the end of the season.”