Thor Hushovd to join BMC

Reigning world champion Thor Hushovd is set to join BMC Racing Team in 2012.

"It's a serious team where it looks like everything is well organised," he said in a press release on Tuesday.

"My biggest goal is still to win Paris-Roubaix. The BMC Racing Team has good riders to support me, or for me to help them win."

The first half of Hushovd's season saw Classics disappointment, as he held back while Garmin-Cervelo teammate Johan Vansummeren won Paris-Roubaix.

However, the Norwegian showed his pedigree at the Tour de France, wearing the yellow jersey for six days and taking two stages.

The 33 year old strengthens a line-up that includes past world champions

Cadel Evans and Alessandro Ballan and American talent Taylor Phinney.

The Swiss-American squad has a budget to match their big ambition. Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and Tejay van Garderen (HTC-Highroad) have been linked to the outfit in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Giro stage winner and maglia rosa wearer Pieter Weening (Rabobank) will move to new Australian team GreenEdge next season.

Related links

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Hushovd wins in Gap

Thor Hushovd: Rider Profile