Thomas Degand returns to Wanty-Groupe Gobert. The rider originating from Bois de Lessines, Belgium signed a two-year contract with Jean-François Bourlart’s team.
 
Degand was already part of the current team Wanty-Groupe Gobert’s predecessor in 2008 but moved to WorldTour team IAM Cycling in 2015.
 
“I am happy to return to Wanty-Groupe Gobert in 2016. I have fond memories of this team and it’s also thanks to them that I had the opportunity to ride in the WorldTour this year. I look forward to working with Hilaire Van Der Schueren again.”
 
Hilaire Van Der Schueren is happy to welcome the Belgian rider back to the Wanty-Groupe Gobert team.
 
“To me Thomas Degand has always been one of the better climbers in Belgium. He has been underestimated in that respect. I worked well with him in 2014 and felt sorry to see him leave. He will still be able to make progress with the correct support. Thomas rides a good time trial, was national champion in the past, and knows how to ride uphill which takes him a long way in the shorter stage races.”
 
In 2014 Degand finished in the top ten of the overall classifications of the Tour de Mediterranée, Tour du Gévaudan, Tour of Austria and Ruta del Sol. This season he also proved to be a good climber with a 7th place in the queen’s stage of the Tour of Austria and an 8th place in the overall standings.
 
This year Degand’s season has been characterized by long periods of injury and a crash which prematurely ended his Vuelta, his first Grand Tour.
 
“I think I will have a good season with Wanty-Groupe Gobert. Stage races with a challenging profile suit me well and if it has a time trial in it, even more so. I want to show myself for sure and prove I deserve my place in the team. I would like to say thanks to Jean-François and Hilaire for their confidence in me and would like to say thanks to IAM Cycling for the past season.”

Team (confirmed) 2016: Marco Marcato, Frederik Backaert, Jérôme Baugnies, Tom Devriendt, Lander Seynaeve, Simone Antonini, Roy Jans, Thomas Degand & Kévin van Melsen