Another top rider is confirmed in LAMPRE-MERIDA’s roster: Kristijan Durasek will race with the team in 2016 and 2017.

The Croatian rider who was born in 1988, became a pro rider in 2008 and he joined LAMPRE-MERIDA in 2013, the same year he won Tre Valli Varesine. During the 2015 season, the climber reached a high level which allowed him to win the overall classification of the Tour of Turkey and the first stage of the Tour de Suisse, his first victory in a World Tour competition.

“I’m very happy for having extended my contract, my first aim was to continue to be a LAMPRE-MERIDA rider," Durasek said. "I signed an agreement which gave me the exciting opportunity to wear  the blue-fuchsia-green colors in 2016 and 2017, I really hope these two years will be full of statisfactions.

"LAMPRE-MERIDA is an amazing group where a rider can find everything he needs to improve his cycling qualities. Thanks to the management and to the sponsors of the team, I’ll try to do the best for them."

Team manager Brent Copeland explained why the extension of the contract of Durasek is very important: "You can always rely on Kristijan, he's always so competitive in every race he does and on every climb.

"In 2015 he made a really important step towards a top quality level, having also obtained a prestigious success in the Tour of Turkey and in one stage of the Tour de Suisse.

"His future role will be even more important, because he'll have his good opportunities to achieve personal goals and he'll be a precious support for the captains whenever this will be necessary."