Pierre Rolland leaves Europcar for Cannondale-Garmin

Pierre Rolland, winner of the best young rider classification and the Alpe d’Huez stage at the 2011 Tour de France, is to join Cannondale-Garmin with team manager Jonathan Vaughters saying he believes the rider can win the mountains classification at the Tour de France.

The 28-year-old French rider joins the UCI WorldTour outfit from Professional Continental team Europcar whose general manager, Jean-René Bernaudeau, has said he has a replacement sponsor lined up with the deal with the car hire firm ending this year.

News that Rolland, who also won a Tour de France stage to La Toussuire in 2012 and has finished in the top 10 of his home Grand Tour on three occasions and fourth in this year’s Giro d’Italia, comes the day after it was confirmed that Ryder Hesjedal is leaving Cannondale-Garmin for Trek Factory Racing.

– Ryder Hesjedal joins Trek Factory Racing

Irish rider Dan Martin, currently third overall at the Vuelta, is also expected to leave the US-registered team at the end of the season.

Rolland, who comes from Gien in the Loire Valley, said: "I am very honoured by the trust placed in me by Cannondale-Garmin and am determined to ride well for them. This is truly a great opportunity for me, and I am very excited for 2016."

– Pierre Rolland relishes Alpe d'Huez win

Vaughters believes that Rolland can challenge for the King of the Mountains title at the Tour de France – something bound to delight fans of the polka-dot jersey, given the way the rider accessorised it with just about everything he could when leading the classification in the 2013 edition of the race.

Pierre Rolland in polka dots and then some (licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0 by Marianne Casamance)

Vaughters said: “Pierre is a rider that shows determination, style and panache year after year. He rides in the style of big gear, head up and always attacking.

“That style is something I respect and admire about Pierre. I believe that for all of his talent, he still has untapped potential.

“We hope to bring some work in aerodynamics and a bit of fresh air to help him maximize that potential, while retaining that panache and style that make him the great rider he is.

“He is a rider who I believe can one day win the polka dot jersey and is an exciting addition to our 2016 line-up.”

He added: “We have an exceptionally talented roster of young riders; what we need to continue to build is leadership for the young guys by giving them experienced riders that they can learn from to better harness their own talents – and Rolland brings that in spades.”