The Wanty-Groupe Gobert roster for 2014 consists now of 23 riders, as the Belgian Pro continental team decided to give a lifeline and save the season for Francis de Greef and Danilo Napolitano in the last possible moment.

De Greef, former Lotto-Belisol rider, found himself without a contract for the coming season after his team decided to significantly strengthen their roster for 2014 and signed contract with seven new riders.

The 28-year Belgian participated in 11 Grand Tour races with consistent yet unspectacular results, finishing within top 20 on several occasions.

Napolitano records his come back to Wanty-Groupe Gobert after his first stint for the Belgian Pro Continental squad was expected to be finished after 2013, as the Italian rider was unable to provide the team with satisfying results in the sprints. With only one victory and three podium finishes the 32-year old Italian sprinter was left aside for the 2014 team at first. Just like De Greef he kept training hoping to strike that deal for the upcoming season. Both riders signed with Wanty-Groupe Gobert in Spain last week.

Wanty-Groupe Gobert has kept only nine riders from their 2013 roster and signed 14 new riders, in the likes of: Kevin Seeldraeyers, Frederique Robert, Michel Kreder, Wesley Kreder, Mirko Selvaggi, Frederik Veuchelen and Bjorn Leukemans.

The Belgian Pro Conti team also shown some interest in signing former Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez, but restricted budged didn’t allow them to finalize this transfer so far.