CCC Sprandi Polkowice has announced the signing of former U23 European champion, 26-year old Jan Tratnik. The Slovenian rider has inked a 2-year deal.

"Jan Tratnik is a very versatile rider, who has proven that he can time trial, can cope with being the team leader in stage races and is capable of winning one-day events," says Piotr Wadecki, sport director of CCC Sprandi Polkowice. "He has huge potential. He is the European champion, achieved a lot in the younger categories and we will do everything we can to provide him with the best support, so he can develop and use his talent to the fullest."

"It’s an important addition also from a marketing standpoint. Our main sponsor, CCC, has multiple stores in Slovenia and Jan Tratnik is the National champion," he adds.

"I’ve been following this team for a long time," Jan Tratnik explains. "When I came in contact with Piotr Wadecki and he told me that the team is interested in me, I didn't hesitate. It’s one of the best Pro Continental teams, well organized, with a really good race calendar. The team works at a high level and I believe that I can get great support to improve and gain a lot of experiences in the biggest races here . My goal for 2017 is to do everything what is best for the team and try to bring some great results."

The Slovenian rider spent his last three seasons with Amplatz – BMC. As a member of this squad he claimed two stage and overall victories at East Bohemia Tour (2015,2016) and took two National titles. In 2015 he won gold in the race against the clock and in 2016 in the road race.

The 2016 season was filled with great results for him. Aside from the victories mentioned earlier, he also won a stage at Tour de Slovaquie, the mountains classification at Tour de Slovénie, points classification at Istrian Spring Trophy and was 2nd at Porec Trophy.

Early in his career, as a 21-year old, he signed with World Tour team, Quick Step. He joined them in 2011, after a successful year in Zheroquadro Radenska team. Patrick Lefevere must have been convinced by his win at Gran Premio della Liberazione (where he beat Michael Matthews) and 2nd place in the GC of the Nations Cup U23 race, Giro Delle Regioni.

After one season racing at the highest level in such races as Critérium du Dauphiné, Tour de Romandie and Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, he returned to the Radenska team for the 2012 season. That year he became the U23 European champion, finished 4th at Ronde van Vlaanderen Espoirs (U23) and got silver in the National Time Trial Championships.