British rider Hamish Haynes has signed for Belgian continental team Jartazi 7-mobile. Being one of the most successful continental teams in Europe, the move represents a new challenge for Haynes and a step up in the level of competition.
Haynes signed his contract just before travelling to Manchester to visit friends and family. He will return to Belgium in January to train with his new teammates, which include Van Der Slagmolen, Abakoumov and Francesco Planckaert, latest in the cycling dynasty and a regular feature in the popular Belgian reality TV show, "The Planckaerts".
During the last five seasons spent racing in Belgium, Haynes has won 26 races, achieving a major breakthrough in 2005 with Team Cyclingnews.com-Fondriest by winning the Grote 1 mei Prijs-Hoboken, the Puivelde GP and the GP Melle in July. Haynes' season will begin with the G.P d'Ouverture La Marseillaise, Etoile de Besseges and Haut Var in Southern France. Then it’s back to Belgium for Het Volk and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. Other highlights throughout the season include the Three Days of West Flanders, the Tour of Belgium and Paris-Brussels.
The team's manager Jef Braeckevelt is an influential figure in Belgian professional racing. Having previously directed with Lotto and Chocolade Jacques, his status has secured the team starting slots in many prestigious events especially in France, Holland and Belgium.
