Omega Pharma-Quick Step have done nothing to hide their ambitions of building a strong team for the grand tours. Today they have significantly bolstered their roster by signing Maxime Bouet who is expected to support Michal Kwiatkowski and Rigoberto Uran in the three-week races.

Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team announces the signing of Maxime Bouet, a 27-year-old French rider, for two years (2015 & 2016). Bouet rode with AG2R - La Mondiale from 2010 until 2014. Highlights of his career include a 2nd place in the 2010 edition of the Tour de France Stage 2, and 3rd place in the GC of Giro del Trentino in 2013. He also finished 20th overall in the 2012 edition of La Vuelta.

“I’m happy about this deal,” Bouet said. “Since I was young I looked at teams of Patrick Lefevere and dreamed of being part of his teams in the future, during my pro career. Now I will join the team in a time of professional maturity, when I can do the best things in my career. So, I’m excited.

"I will continue to develop in the future. In the next year my goal is to improve as a rider and also to try to be important in the strategy of the team, with riders like Rigoberto Uran and Michal Kwiatkowski. I will try and give my contribution to their success in the climbs. I will work hard during this winter and next year to try and be as good as I can in the mountains and improve my capacity there.

"I’d like to also thank my former team for the big opportunity they gave me in the last years. I had a great few years with them and want to thank them for their help. “

“With Bouet we have a rider who can be useful for the grand tours,” OPQS CEO Patrick Lefevere said. “He has shown he can support his teammates, while also having the possibility to take his own chances when the opportunity is present.

"He’s a French rider who I believe has yet to reach the pinnacle of his pro career, and think he can be a good fit for the team and what we want to do in the next years. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do in OPQS colors as he continues to grow.”