Madis Mihkels' employer EF Education-EasyPost has already hired five new riders for the upcoming year. The latest addition is Luke Lampert, who rode for Soudal Quick-Step for the past two seasons.
The 22-year-old American confirmed that he had decided to leave the Belgian top team even before he knew about star rider Remco Evenepoel's move to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. "Soudal-QuickStep made me an offer to extend my contract. I liked the team, I had no complaints - it was a really nice team," said Lamperti. "I just saw a lot of positives in joining EF. Of course part of it is the opportunity to ride for my results, but I also got my opportunities at QuickStep. I'm looking forward to the new season with EF."
Lampert has won the opening stage of the Czech Tour in the last two years, but overall he has struggled this season. "This year was definitely up and down," he admitted. "Sometimes I was in really good shape, sometimes I was in really bad shape. A lot of that was because I didn't have a proper base preparation. I was sidelined last winter with a minor knee injury and that affected my whole season. By the end of the season I was just completely burnt out. I'm looking forward to the new season, especially the spring classics and a fresh start with my new team."
EF Pro Cycling CEO Jonathan Vaughters added that Lampert will be one of our mainstays in cobblestones and a sprinter we use frequently, making him a direct competitor for Madis Mihkels.
EF Education-EasyPost has previously signed Canadian time trial champion Michael Leonard (21, Ineos Grenadiers) and new pros Noah Hobbs (21), Matthias Schwarzbacher (19) and Mattia Agostinacchio (18). Rui Costa (retired from professional sports) and Owain Doull (Visma–Lease a Bike) are leaving the team, but the futures of at least 11 riders, including Richard Carapaz, are yet to be announced.
