Stefan Schumacher, currently with Team Gerolsteiner - the team that will fold after the 2008 season, has announced that he will be part of the Quick Step cycling team next year.

The 27-year-old German athlete, bronze medal winner at the Stuttgart 2007 World Championships and great performer at the 2008 Tour de France where he won both individual time trials, has reached an agreement with Team Manager Patrick Lefevere for the following two seasons (2009-2010).

“The arrival of Stefan Schumacher will further add to the internationalism of our team and enhance the technical ability of the team," Lefevere explained. "Over the past years he has proved to be an excellent all-round athlete able to stand out in the time trials and uphill climbs during both one day races and the great stage races.”

“I’m looking forward to be part of this world class team,” said Schumacher. "I received offers from several teams. After it became clear that my current team would fold at the end of the 2008 season I sat down and focused intensively on the offers that I had received. The concept offered to me by Quick Step-Innergetic was the most convincing one. The team will focus on me. I will have the flexibility and freedom I need so that I can focus on the races that I enjoy the most."

When asked what races he would like to focus on in 2009, Schumacher told Roadcycling.com that "For example the spring classics. Quick Step-Innergetic is a Belgian team. There, races such as the Tour of Flanders, the Amstel Gold Race, Fleche-Wallone, and Liege-Bastogne-Liege are very important and it is no secret that I love those races. In addition to this, I'll be able to try to do something spectacular in the Tour de France again."