Yoann Offredo will join Wanty-Groupe Gobert. The Frenchman signed a two-year contract with the Belgian pro-continental team.

"I am happy to sign with the ambitious team Wanty-Groupe Gobert. It is my first experience abroad. No other country is as cycling-mad as Belgium. Wanty-Groupe Gobert is a familial team where I will develop myself perfectly. It was exactly what I was looking for", Yoann Offredo explained his choice.

The 29-year old rider is a classics specialist. He rode ten years with FDJ. In 2009 he won a stage in the Tour de Picardie. In 2010 he finished as third in the GP Plouay. In 2011 he took the fourth place in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the seventh place in Milan-San Remo. This season he finished as eighth in the final GC of the Four Days of Dunkirk. He has a huge experience of the Flemish classics.

"I'm always motivated during the Spring Classics. The atmosphere, the short climbs, the cobblestones, the people, everything is a source of inspiration. I hope I can play an important role."

Sport director Hilaire Van der Schueren is already looking forward to working with the Frenchman.

"With Yoann I want to get big results in the Flemish classics. I followed him since a very long time. He is a real asset to our team."

Team manager Jean-François Bourlart is delighted with the arrival of Offredo to his team.

"Yoann will have a big role in the Flemish classics. His motivation, experience, strength and qualities were so many arguments that convinced us. The group for the classics is relatively young and the arrival of Yoann outlines our ambitions."

After signing Wesley Kreder, Guillaume Levarlet, Fabien Doubey, Xandro Meurisse, Guillaume Van Keirsbulck and Pieter Vanspeybroeck, Yoann Offredo is the seventh new rider.