Tour de France runner-up Rigboberto Uran commits future to Cannondale-Drapac with new three-year deal

Rigoberto Uran will ride for Cannondale-Drapac until at least the end of 2020 after agreeing a new three-year deal with the American team.

Uran, who finished as a surprise runner-up at the recent Tour de France, had been linked with a move away from Cannondale, but has now signed a new contract with the team letting him structure his season around the Tour.

"A three-year contract offers security, and the team is willing to allow me to focus my season on the Tour de France," Uran said. "I was very happy to sign.

"I’ll race many races, and I have many goals,” said Uran. “The biggest, of course, is the Tour de France. I want to win the Tour."

>>> Cycling transfers 2018: All the ins and outs from the WorldTour

Cannondale-Drapac team boss Jonathan Vaughters said that the team had no hesitation in signing Uran, having supported him through a difficult start to his time at the team as he was plagued with illness through 2016 and the first part of 2017.

"Cycling is a sport where people have a bad year or two and they get written off quickly," Vaughters said. "Let me qualify that Uran’s ‘bad year’ included a seventh place finish at the Giro d’Italia while racing with bronchitis. We knew what he was capable of.

“His ambition [to win the Tour] is one that we share, and the team is excited to work with him on his biggest goal. Rigo is a great mentor and leader. Good times and bad, he inspires people."