Encouraging final performances in the Team Sky outfit could have been a sign that there is still a chance for Edvald Boasson Hagen to turn things around and give his stagnating career an entirely new spin as a part of MTN-Qhubeka next season.

“We signed Tyler Farrar and Matt Goss, as well. These riders are not lost souls,” Team Principal Doug Ryder told Cycling Weekly.

“[Gerald] Ciolek was inspired by our team to ride better. Our team is motivating and inspiring, and it does get the best out of people. That’s what these guys have seen and why they are attracted to our team.”

The South African team principal expects that they will be able to do the same for Boasson Hagen, who had stolen the spotlight in his first seasons as professional by winning the Tour of Britain, Ghent-Wavelgem or stages at the Criterium du Dauphine and Giro d’Italia in the HTC-Highroad outfit, but never lived up to huge expectations after joining Team Sky.

Enough to say that during his next five seasons in the British team, the 27-year old Norwegian won less races than in preceding two fat years. Two stages at the 2011 Tour de France and 2012 GP Ouest Plouay were no doubt valuable victories, but his last season at Team Sky was concluded without adding to his palmares.

“When I saw him racing for the first time in 2008 at the Tour of Britain, he was just like a kid and just smashed everyone. He seemed to get a bit lost, didn’t seem to race for himself and plans changed,” Ryder said.

“If you look at the Japan Cup where he finished second and in the Tour of Beijing this month, he rode well. You don’t turn a donkey into a race horse, and he’s definitely not a donkey. He’s just a race horse who seems to have a thorn in his foot that we just have to take out.

“With the respect and support he will have in our team, he’ll have an incredible couple of years on our team. He’s by no means done.”

While there are no doubts that the South African Pro Continental team will do their utmost to give the career of the 27-year old rider a new spin, Boasson Hagen also has something to offer. MTN-Qhubeka principal believes that bringing the Norwegian to their roster will significantly improve their chances of being granted the invitation to the Tour de France upcoming edition – their huge objective for the 2015 season.

“There’s still massive interest around Edvald. The ASO spoke to us about him, ‘Well done for signing Edvald.’ People still see his potential.

“Some are quite harsh, when you are going poorly they kick you. That’s going to motivate him to a great performance. He’ll have a good winter and come out well for 2015.”