Earlier today Team Geox management issued a press release stating that Denis Menchov will leave Team Rabobank at the end of this season and will join Team Geox in 2011.

Denis Menchov is the second rider signed by Mauro Gianetti for the new professional cycling team Geox. Earlier this week the team signed a contract with 2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre who leaves Cervelo TestTeam.

"We're very happy that Denis Menchov understood fast how deep the project we at Geox have in mind is." Team Geox General Manager Mauro Gianetti commented.

"He'll be forming up a very competitive couple with Sastre for the big stage races, giving [the team a stronger position] when it comes to team strategy in 3-week tours. Menchov is a regular rider who excels in the time trials, and his characteristics will perfectly [combine] with the pure climbing style of Carlos. The Geox team is getting formed right [according to] our plans, and we will add more interesting riders by the end of the season."

Denis Menchov finished third in the 2010 Tour de France and has previously won two editions of the Vuelta a Espana and the Giro d'Italia once.

Denis Menchov has signed a two-year contract with Team Geox.