Devenyns, 30, has been a professional since 2007 and joins the team from Omega Pharma-Quick Step, where he has ridden since 2009.

During this period he achieved top places in several WorldTour races, including a 5th place in the Clasica San Sebastian, 3rd in a Tour de France stage, 8th in the Eneco Tour and 14th in the Amstel Gold Race. This year he finished 5th in the general classification of the Tour of Austria.

“We see Dries as an all-round player and a great addition to several different facets of our team,” said Iwan Spekenbrink, General Manager. “He is a rider who can play an important role for our leaders but can also be captain on his own, as he has proved already in a variety of races, including cobbled races, Ardennes races and stage races.

“Dries will join his compatriot Bert De Backer. We are an international team, and we found it important to strengthen the Belgian presence on the team as Belgium is an important cycling country.”

For his part, Dries said he looked forward to helping the team develop its young riders by offering his experience.

“In the conversations I had with the team it felt really good,” said Devenyns. “The values of the team are close to my own and how I see the future of cycling. I was impressed by the team this season; you saw it growing as a collective, and that is something I want to be part of. The team is still progressing year by year and I am looking forward to bringing some experience to the table and working with many of their young talents. But in terms of my own development as a rider I think I can also learn from the structure they have built around the riders.”