Brammeier to join Omega Pharma-Quick Step for 2012

Irish national champion Matt Brammeier will move to the Belgian squad Omega Pharma-Quick Step for 2012.

"It was arranged four or five weeks ago. I was confident about finding a contract [when HTC-Highroad's demise was announced], though I was gutted the team couldn't carry on," Brammeier said.

"I'm really happy with how I've raced this year - I did some good work for the team, they were happy. Next season, I'd like to try and get in the finale of a big Classic like Gent-Wevelgem and Paris-Roubaix - and do a Grand Tour," he indicated.

The Liverpool-born rider was speaking to CW from Copenhagen, where he will be racing the world championship time-trial and road race on Wednesday and Sunday.

26 year old Brammeier moves to the Belgian merger squad with several teammates as well as directeur sportif Brian Holm and British youngster Andy Fenn.

He had a major career setback in November 2007, when

he was hit by a cement truck, breaking his hip and both legs.

However,

Brammeier worked hard to recover and stepped up to ProTour level last

winter when he signed for

HTC-Highroad, where he has been a strong domestique this season,

competing in Paris-Roubaix, Amstel Gold and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

"Matthew is entering an important phase in his career and we think he can improve in our group," said Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere in a team press release.

"Brammeier is a rider the teams want to bet on for the near future. We're sure he has everything it takes to cut out a role for himself within the team," he added.

Related linksBrammeier joins HTC-Columbia for 2011Brammeier: "novelty will never wear off" (May 2011 British news round up)