Louis Meintjes to join Lampre-Merida from MTN-Qhubeka
Thursday 3 September 2015 18:30, UK
South African climber Louis Meintjes has signed a two-year deal to join Lampre-Merida next season.
Meintjes is currently riding in the Vuelta a Espana for MTN-Qhubeka and moved into the top 10 with a strong performance on Wednesday's tough 11th stage, where he finished in a group alongside Nairo Quintana.
The African road race champion also won the final stage of the Settimana Internazionale Coppa e Bartali race earlier this season to deny Team Sky's Ben Swift overall victory by only two seconds.
"I'm really excited to be taking this step up to the WorldTour level with team Lampre-Merida for the next two seasons," Meintjes said.
"I think it will bring with it lots of new opportunities and the possibility to learn from a very experienced team. One of the reasons I decided on going to an Italian-based team is because Italy has become my home away from home."
Lampre-Merida team manager Brent Copeland knows Meintjes well from his time with MTN-Qhubeka and believes he can be a big success with his new employer.
"Louis is a rider we have always kept a close eye on, we believe in his talent and know that his future career will be one of great value," Copeland said.
"Meintjes will have his space to grow at Lampre-Merida and with our technical staff's immense experience in working with young talented riders such as Louis, will certainly contribute to bringing important results to himself and the team."
