Chris Horner has signed a contract with Airgas-Safeway, an American continental team “I have achieved a huge amount of success in my career and I’m incredibly proud of that. For me, the next chapter isn’t just about what I can do as an individual, but what I can give back to cycling as a sport," the 43-year-old Horner, winner of the 2013 Vuelta a Espana, says.

Last year Chris Horner rode for Lampre-Merida but the Italian team decided not to renew the contract. At Airgas-Safeway, Horner is expected to play the role of road captain.

“I am very excited to be joining Airgas-Safeway for 2015,” said Horner. “I have achieved a huge amount of success in my career and I’m incredibly proud of that. For me, the next chapter isn’t just about what I can do as an individual, but what I can give back to cycling as a sport. I had a number of options for this year, and what really struck me about Airgas-Safeway was their utter commitment to giving the next generation of young riders the opportunity for success.

“Racing with excited young athletes fits well with my love of the sport, and it will be a great partnership to build for the future,” said Horner. “I look forward to sharing my racing and tactical experience to help the team race for the win at Tour of California, Tour of Utah, and many other races throughout the season.

“2015 is shaping up to be a fun year with great racing and more time at home with my family, including the new baby we have on the way in January. I can’t wait to race with a group of excited young pros — their enthusiasm will make the season fun and exciting.”

“Chris Horner has done it all. This is not only a huge development for our program, but also for cycling fans in the United States,” said Airgas-Safeway team principle Chris Johnson. “To be able to give a group of young riders the chance to race with a champion like Horner is a dream come true on so many levels.”

In 2014, Horner was involved in a bad crash in the spring which ruled him out of the Giro d'Italia. He returned in time for the Tour de France but suffered from illness which prevented from showing the maximum of his capabilities. To treat the illness, he got a therapeutic use exemption for cortisone. That eventually kept him from defending his Vuelta crown, as Lampre erased him from the start list due to a conflict with the Movement for Credible Cycling rules.

Horner had hoped to stay in the WorldTour but now he will return to racing at the continental level in his home country.