Caja Rural - Seguros RGA has announced that Yuri Trofimov and Rafael Reis will join the team next year. Furthermore, the Spanish team has also prolonged the contract with Héctor Sáez.
 
Trofimov has proven his exceptional qualities in stage races numerous times on the World Tour. Last year, the 32-year-old Russian finished 10th overall in Giro d’Italia and this season, he rode as luxury domestique for Alberto Contador at Tinkoff during Vuelta a España. Trofimov also has two stage wins in Critérium du Dauphiné and one in Vuelta al Pais Vasco on his palmares.
 
Trofimov said: 

“I’ve been living in Spain for a long time and I really love this country, its culture and the atmosphere here. I’ve always wanted to be in a Spanish team. Together with the management of Caja Rural - Seguros RGA, we have come to a good agreement. Team manager Juan Manuel Hernández is a very loyal person and we have the same goals in mind; to win as many races as possible and to do a great Vuelta a España. My first priority is to be in good shape for the first Spanish stage races. After that, I will play the role of a strong teammate, aiming to get the best possible results for the team. Joining Caja Rural - Seguros RGA really motivates me a lot. Finally, I can set my own goals and take on my favorite race - Vuelta a España - as team leader”.
 
Reis joins the team after a very successful season in Portugal, where he topped the national ranking in 2016. The 24-year-old time trial specialist won the opening prologue in both GP Internacional Torres Vedras and Volta a Portugal. He also did very well to finish seventh overall in the Spanish stage race Vuelta a Castilla y León. After being part of Caja Rural - Seguros RGA’s U23 team in 2012, Reis is now eager to take the step to the professional ranks of the Spanish team after a great season for W52 - FC Porto.
 
Reis said: 

“Caja Rural - Seguros RGA is a very important team in professional cycling and being able to represent the team in 2017 will be a big step in my career and for my development as a cyclist. I want to improve in certain terrains such as the mountains but at the same time also continue to work on my forte: the time trials. I hope to adapt quickly to the team and be able to fight for glory as soon as possible”.
 
Both Trofimov and Reis have signed a one-year contract with Caja Rural - Seguros RGA. Sáez, too, has inked a one-year deal to continue with the team in 2017. The 22-year-old Spaniard had a strong start to this season with impressive performances in Volta ao Algarve where he finished second in the youth classification. Unfortunately, Sáez had to battle cytomegalovirus, which kept him from performing at his best during parts of the season. He returned strong for the final races - Tour of Britain and the Italian classics - where he once again proved his hard working and combative way of racing.