Orica-BikeExchange bulks up skinny climber talent with new signing, Verona

Orica-BikeExchange have signed young Spanish climber Carlos Verona for the rest of the year until the end of the 2018 season.

Orica-BikeExchange have signed Carlos Verona from Etixx-Quickstep until the end of the 2018 season and he'll race for his new team immediately (Getty) Source: Getty Images

A deal struck with Verona's former Etixx-Quickstep team will see him line up for the Australian outfit on Tuesday at the Vuelta a Burgos in Spain. 

"I am really happy to join ORICA-BikeExchange and start a new chapter of my cycling career,” he said.

“The team will help me to keep improving and become a better bike rider as I have seen them do with so many other guys."

The Spaniard may be only 23-years-old but he will bring a wealth of experience to Orica-BikeExchange. Turning professional in 2011, Verona has notched up four seasons and three grand tours with Etixx-Quickstep at the WorldTour level, including the 2016 Giro d'Italia in the service of GC hopeful Bob Jungels. 

Sports director Matt White said Verona will play a key role in his team's future general classification goals. 

“Carlos will be a really important addition to the team going onwards as we approach our next seasons with a big focus on the Grand Tours,” White said.

“He has great climbing skills and despite his young age, he already has an impressive amount of experience in these type of races.”

“He has a really good personality and already trains with some of our guys in Andorra, so I'm convinced he'll fit into our environment very easily.”

Verona, who finished fourth in the 2016 Tour de Romandie youth classification said he looks forward to giving his all to Orica-BikeExchange's new goals.

“I really like the direction the team has taken towards focusing on the GC in the big races and the approach they have taken has been extremely impressive to watch,” he said.

“I consider myself a team player and I look forward to contributing and playing a role wherever the team can use me."

White said the young climber's schedule for after Burgos is yet to be finalised. 

“He's starting out now in Burgos and we'll assess his race schedule shortly. A rider with his qualities can ride any of the races we have left this year.”