Australia's top cycling team Orica-BikeExchange have strengthened their Grand Tour firepower significantly, signing Czech rider Roman Kreuziger.
Team director Matt White called the transfer a game changer.
The 30-year-old will switch from Tinkoff, where he was a crucial ally for Spanish ace Alberto Contador and ride with the team on a two-year deal.
Kreuziger is a top rider in his own right, finishing 10th overall at this year's Tour de France.
He also was fifth at the 2013 Tour.
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Two big results this year are sign posts for the transition of Orica-BikeExchange - formerly Orica-GreenEDGE - from a team focussed more on one-day results into a team that can also contend in the big tours.
Colombian Estaban Chavez finished second overall in May at the Giro d'Italia and then British rider Adam Yates was fourth last month at the Tour de France, also taking out the young rider category.
Chavez, Yates and his twin brother Simon are young riders who the team aim to develop into Grand Tour winners.
Kreuziger will provide crucial support for them on the big climbs in the Giro, the Tour and the Vuelta a Espana.
"Roman is a real game-changing signing for us," White said in a team statement.
He is not only one of the classiest and strongest riders at WorldTour level, but he also brings a wealth of experience having worked for the best GC (general classification) riders in the world.
He will be one of the riders who can make the difference for our young riders at the Tour de France in the attempt to go for the podium.
And at the same time he's proved that he can win himself, in both the classics and other WorldTour stage races."
White noted the team is developing strong depth throughout the season, with Mat Hayman's historic win at the Paris-Roubaix classic in April another massive highlight.
Kreuzige said going to Orica-BikeExchange was an easy choice.
"I really admire the ambitions they have going onwards and I want to fully apply myself to help their young riders go for the ultimate success in the Grand Tours," he said.
"I think I'll be able to fulfill that role both on and off the bike and at the same time try and go for a win myself in one-week races and some of the classics where we will have several cards to play."
Kreuziger's career is impressive in its own right.
Apart from his fifth at the Tour in 2013, he also won the Amstel Gold classic the same year.
He also has taken out the Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse stage races.
