Team KATUSHA will look very different in 2017 as the team goes on signing new young talents. The ambitious WorldTour team is has announced that it reached an agreement with young Belgian talent Jenthe Biermans.

Biermans, (20), will be the youngest rider in the 2017 squad. Representing SEG Racing Academy, in 2016 for the second year in a row, he finished second in the U23 edition of Paris-Roubaix. One year earlier he was also second in the national road championships. As a junior he was Belgian champion and won the Tour of Flanders. Biermans is obviously a man for the classics.

"And the worse the weather, the better I feel. I love the classics. I hope to learn a lot from a rider like Alexander Kristoff. I will be happy to work for him. I hope that he can take nice victories in 2017 and that I can contribute to making them happen. I’m taking a very big step, but I feel that I am ready for it. Last year after my second U23 season, I got some offers from ProContinental teams, but at that time I determined it was too early to make the move. Moreover, when a huge team like Team KATUSHA knocks on your door, you don’t need to hesitate any more. I am very happy. In the last week I’ve already seen the names of new guys coming to the team, all coming from different countries. It looks impressive. I cannot wait to start next season," said Jenthe Biermans.

"We really believe in Jenthe. We followed him for awhile and when he recently became a trainee at Wanty – Groupe Goubert, he immediately impressed in his first pro race, Dwars door het Hageland, a race with many unpaved and cobbled sections.  Only a flat tire kept him from a surprise podium. It confirmed what we see in him. Jenthe is a huge talent and a guy to cherish. We will give him the necessary time to grow. He is still young and we have patience," explains Team KATUSHA General Manager Viacheslav Ekimov, who added that the team will continue to announce more signings and re-signings the coming days.