Young British rider Matt Holmes has earned the right to race in the WorldTour after signing with Lotto-Soudal. The 25-year-old will join the Belgian team on a one-year deal after impressing at Continental level with Madison Genesis. Holmes finished sixth overall at the Tour de Yorkshire and 15th overall at the Tour of Britain.
The Lancastrian also claimed fourth at the Tokyo Olympics test event in July, finishing 2 minutes 29 seconds behind winner Diego Ulissi, a result that convinced Lotto-Soudal we was a good enough rider to make the step up.
'After Tokyo, Lotto-Soudal contacted me. I thought I was dreaming until I could finally sign my contract yesterday. It will be a big step from racing in Britain to racing all over the world but I feel I am ready for it and the team has faith in me,' said Holmes.
'I am thrilled. I will mainly focus on the smaller stage races in a role as a helper who will get his own chances as well.'
This move will come as a relief to Holmes who was without a team for 2020. His current Madison Genesis team will close its doors after seven years so that Madison can 'invest in other market segments which are now showing much more significant growth potential' than supporting a professional team.
Holmes completes the Lotto-Soudal roster with 23-year-old Belgian Stef Cras who completes his move from Katusha-Alpecin.
Cras was one of eleven riders unsure of their futures after Katusha-Alpecin sold their WorldTour licence to the Israel Cycling Academy for 2020.
While Cras has been able to secure a WorldTour future, teammates Harry Tanfield and Alex Dowsett have yet to announce their plans for next season.