Trek-Segafredo announce signing of Richie Porte on two-year deal

One of the worst kept secrets in transfer news has been confirmed

Image: Sunada

(Image credit: Yuzuru SUNADA)

Trek-Segafredo have officially announced their signing of Richie Porte, who joins the US registered team from BMC Racing.

The 33-year-old Australian rider was rumoured to be signing with Trek back in June, though his salary was reportedly to be decided by his performance at the Tour de France.

Porte - who crashed out of the Tour on stage nine - will be racing the 2018 Vuelta a España in BMC's colours before he moves on to lead his new team in 2019.

The two time Paris-Nice victor (2013 and 2015) won the Tour de Suisse this year, and took second at the Tour Down Under, clinching a stage win on day five.

Porte is one of a number of riders to move on, after BMC's future looked insecure until they were saved by a merger with Polish pro-conti team CCC Sprandi Polkowice.

Other members of US team BMC to sign elsewhere include Rohan Dennis, to Bahrain-Merida and Tejay van Garderen who has confirmed a place at EF Education First-Drapac.

>>> Cycling transfers 2019: All the ins and outs from the WorldTour

Porte has signed a two-year contract, taking him up to 2020 - and he will focus on Grand Tours as well as the one week races where he's excelled in the past.

Announcing the two-year contract, Porte said: “I am thrilled to finally confirm that I will join Trek-Segafredo in 2019.

"I had a great time at BMC Racing Team, and I want to thank them for the past three years, but I feel ready to take on another challenge, which I am certain I will find at Trek-Segafredo."

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"I am particularly looking forward to focusing on more races throughout the year," he said. "Of course, the Tour de France will still be a huge goal for me, and I am excited to go there to race with a super strong team alongside me, but I will also aim for one-week stage races, like the ones I have won before, and the ones I have never raced."

"Honestly, I am really excited to start this new chapter in my career - I can’t wait,” he added.

General Manager Luca Guercilena: “Richie is a remarkable cyclist that has shown his capacities in the past, and I am confident he still has great results in him for the next few years.

"Obviously, he has a lot of experience and leadership to share with our young riders, something I believe the whole team will benefit from. I am sure he will fit in well with the group of riders we are assembling for next year. We are excited to have him on board!”

Porte joins Trek-Segafredo alongside Matteo Moschetti (Polartec-Kometa). Other renewals there include Koen De Kort, Markel Irizar, Jasper Stuyven, Mads Pedersen, and Fumiyuki Beppu.

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Michelle Arthurs-Brennan

Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.