After several years at the top level, Kevyn Ista will take a step back in 2015. The Belgian has signed a contract with Wallonie-Bruxelles.

After two years in Switzerland with the IAM team, Kevyn Ista will return to his home country as he has signed a contract with Wallonie-Bruxelles. Out of contract this year, the former winner of the U23 Tour of Flanders didn't find confidence from the IAM leaders and he had to look for another team.

"They kindly told me that they would not keep me," he told Directvelo. "But I must say that I had expected that to happen. I felt it."

With no major results in his two years with the team, partly because of a nasty injury in 2013, he was asked to leave the team and find another home.

The transfer to Wallonie-Bruxelles has been official since early October.

"I talken with [manager Christophe] Brandt and [rider Frederic] Amorison and then with [sports director] Christophe Vanassche and they convinced me." 

He has offers from the professional peloton but he opted for the Walloon team for several reasons.

"I did not want to wait until mid-November as I risked finding myself without a team. And the offer from Wallonie-Bruxelles was really promising. They have a good schedule."

This transfer also allows him to join two former teammates. Sébastien Delfosse, with whom he rode at the Continental Pole Wallon team, and more importantly Gregory Habeaux. 

"He is a very good friend. I've known him for 11 years now and I rode with him at Wanty." 

All three have an important role of guiding the young riders but not only that.

"Of course it is important to help the young riders but the team also signed us because they think we can do well in some races."

His goal is clear. He wants to win

"My goal is to have a great year. I do not think I am physically exhausted because I have had a lot of health concerns. But I will not cut any corners, we'll see how the season goes." 

As for his schedule, he will meet the team in the coming days for more information. But it would be surprising not to see him in the big early season races like Etoile de Bessèges and the Tour Mediteraneen.