Denis Menchov signed to Katusha

Denis Menchov at the Giro d'italia ©Franck Faugere - LaPresse

Dec 13th, 11. Team Katusha yesterday signed a contract with Russian Denis Menchov for the 2012 season.

"This agreement is a logical step in further realisation of the Russian Global Cycling Project which is aimed at uniting the most competitive Russian riders within one structure," said Igor Makarov, President of Russian Cycling Federation and chief of the Russian Global Cycling Project.

"I consider it as one of the necessary conditions for successful development of Russian cycling and for enhancing its international prestige.

"I am sincerely glad that from 2012 Menchov will join Katusha team and the Russian Global Cycling Project. And I strongly believe that he will show some high results in the upcoming season."

In the press release, Menchov stated he has been looking forward to joining Katusha for a long time.

"I always regarded it as the right step for me and my career. I very much appreciate what Mr. Makarov is doing for Russian cycling.

"In my turn, I'd like to contribute as much as I can to the Russian global cycling project as well as to regaining to Russia its leading positions in world sport," he said.

Menchov is a two time winner of Vuelta a Espana (2005 and 2007), winner of Giro d'Italia (2009) and finished the Tour de France on the podium in 2010 . During his career to date, he has won seven stages at Grand Tours (4 stages of Vuelta, 2 stages of Giro and a stage of the Tour de France).

From 2005 to 2010 Menchov raced for Rabobank, but switched to Team Geox TMC in 2011. He finished 11th in the Giro d'Italia but was unable to ride the Tour de France when the team were not invited to the July tour. He finished 5th at this year's third Grand Tour, the Vuelta Espana, where he helped his teammate Juan José Cobo win overall honours.