Rodrigo Contreras (1994) has confirmed that he will ride for Etixx-Quick Step in 2016. The Colombian will travel to Europe to perform several physical tests with the Belgian team and sign the contract, according to a report from BiciCiclismo.

Contreras, 20, was a revelation at the Tour de San Luis where he finished sixth overall and was the best U23 rider. Now he  is "very satisfied" with this new step in his career. "It's a great opportunity in my life and I should not waste the chance to ride for one of the best teams in the world. Being next to Rigoberto Uran is a dream come true,” he told the Colombian Cycling Federation. Like Contreras, sprint sensation Fernando Gaviria is expected to join the Belgian team. "When I sat down to watch the Tour France, I said: 'Someday I have to be part of a global team and ride that race. I think I am taking this path by joining a WorldTour team,” Contreras added.

When he confirmed his move, his joy was immense. "I had no words at that time, an amazing feeling. I remembered my first pedal strokes when I started, all my days of hard training and the suffering has not been in vain. The results are here," he said. "Now I have to train not 100 but 300% to do everything in cycling, go ahead and make a good life plan.”

Contreras will follow in the footsteps on compatriots Uran, Carlos Betancur, Nairo Quintana and Sergio and Sebastian Henao. "This motivates Colombian cycling to go ahead and prepare young people even better because European cycling is ready to welcome new riders and polish them,” he said.

On February 21, he will travel to Europe for his first physical and ergonometric tests and he will stay there until February 26. Then he will return to Colombia to focus on his 2015 goals with Colombia-Coldeportes and the Colombian national team: La Vuelta de la Juventud, the Tour de l'Avenir and the World Championships in Richmond.