Uzbekistan-born rider Lagutin will leave the disbanded Vacansoleil for Russian team Rusvelo in 2014. Not only that, he'll represent Russia instead of Uzbekistan now, having became a russian citizen a few weeks ago, according to R-Sport.

Lagutin, a former u23 world champion, is an ethnic Russian who hauled in 7 Uzbekistan national titles. He previously represented Uzbekistan in races attended by national teams, obtained a 5th place in 2012 London Olympics road race, which was won by another ethnic Russian representing an Asian country, Vinokourov.

After 5 seasons in UCI world tour with Vacansoleil, Lagutin has to go down to the Pro Continental level, with the Rusvelo team. "There were two teams that were interested in me, but I was asked to wait until September. I did not want to wait though. At first, I talked to Viatcheslav Ekimov about the possibility of joining the Katusha. Before the Tour de France, I was told that was impossible, and I'm advised to talk with Rusvelo."

Lagutin is a decent enough puncheur who can succeed in small stage races and small classics. He won GP Aargau, a 1.1 Swiss classic in 2012, and finished 4th in Tour du Limousin this year, as well as obtaining multiple top 10 result every year in these kind of races.

On his next season, Lagutin wants to attend Vuelta al Pais Vasco, the Tour de Suisse and the Tour of Poland, but he can only attend world tour races by obtaining a wildcard now, so he has to hope the team can acquire one. However, there's one race he'll surely attend and target--the Russian national championship.