Marc de Maar will leave Roompot - Orange Peloton and will focus completely on a career in mountain biking, specifically MTB marathons, from 2017. The veteran living in Barcelona has been with the team since last year and combined  the road with a number of mountain bike races. Now he has decided to focus fully on the latter.

"My experience on the mountain bike and specifically at the marathons have given me the belief that I should be able to reach the international top in this discipline," he said. "After a fine career on the road I feel that I can start the next chapter. I need the challenge to build something completely from scratch like I already did when I signed for an American team and rode for Curacao in 2010.

"For myself and Roompot - Orange Peloton, it is great pity that this season has failed because of injuries but this new step gives me a lot of energy for the future. I'll probably still ride on the road but only with a view to mountain biking."

Without specific preparation, De Maar was 18th at the 2015 European Marathon Championships in Singen, Germany. He also has several top 5 resuts at UCI MTB Marathon Series races.

"I hope to soon announce for what MTB team I will ride next year. The talks are ongoing and positive. I mainly look at the structure of the team which must have ambition to grow with me. It must be possible to get to the world elite in marathon with the right environment."