A few days after announcing the extension of the contract with Nelson Oliveira, Lampre-Merida have extended their collaboration with another key rider for former world champion Rui Costa. Climber Rafael Valls will stay with the outfit in 2015.

The season did not start well for Rafael Valls. After just three days in the Lampre-Merida colours, he fractured his collarbone in a crash in the Tour Down Under.

Working with seriousness, the Spanish climber recovered quickly and got his career at Lampre-Merida off to a new and better start, delivering a series of consistent performances for Brent Copeland's team. In particulat, he showed great reliability on the climbs and made crucial contribution to Rui Costa's Tour de Suisse victory.

To keep the key group of riders together and to give the necessary support to the captains, Lampre-Merida have confirmed their confidence in Valls by extending his contract for the 2015 season.

Rafael Valls Ferri was born in 1987 in Cocentaini. During his six seasons as a professional, he has won the stage in the 2012 Tour de San Luis that finished on the climb of Mirador del Potrero.