Etixx - Quick-Step is happy to announce the signing of young Belgian Talent Laurens De Plus for the next 3 seasons (2016-2018).

Born in Aalst in 1995, De Plus shined this year in few of the most important stage races for Under 23 riders. Some examples are Giro Ciclistico della Val D’Aosta (one stage victory and 2nd place GC), the Course de la Paix (4th in the GC) and the Tour de L’Isard (1st in the Youth and Point classification, second in the GC).

“I’m really happy to join the team,” De Plus said. “It’s a real dream, and to be honest, it’s a bit strange to me if I think that from this winter forward, I will start training with a few of the guys that I really admire in cycling. I’m happy that Patrick Lefevere gave me this chance. We talked a lot about how we see my next future within the team and how I will approach next season. In this team I feel that I can grow up without pressure as I am only 19. I have a lot of to learn from the other guys and from the team structure.

"I like the stage races and I like to climb,” continues De Plus, who will ride Le Tour de l’Avenir starting next Saturday. "My first goal in the future will be to do my best, to develop my skills, and start to build up my career among the professionals.”

“We were following Laurens a long time," said CEO Patrick Lefevere. “Together with Fernando Gaviria and Rodrigo Contreras he was on the top of our list concerning our priority with young riders. Our scout recently followed him from nearby, and I had a few constructive talks with him. We believe he has the potential to become a good professional rider, and both parties decided to invest time in this common project. Together with the team technical staff, we will prepare for him a program that will allow him to discover step-by-step the world of the professional cycling, and to grow up with us.”