Etixx-QuickStep wants Dan Martin to work closely with its rising French star Julian Alaphilippe next spring.
Dan Martin has signed a new two-year deal with Etixx-QuickStep, where he will lead the Belgian WorldTour team's assault on the Ardennes Classics.
Etixx-QuickStep chief executive Patrick Lefevere said he was keen to see what the Irishman can do over the next couple of seasons in one-day events and major stage races.
However, it appears the Ardennes Classics rather than Grand Tours are the priority goal in signing the 29-year-old.
And Lefevere said he believed Martin and young French rider Julian Alaphilippe could work closely in the classics.
However, Lefevere is losing his best Grand Tour general classification rider Rigoberto Uran Uran to Cannondale-Garmin.
Martin is an obvious replacement for Uran Uran, though winning stages with Mark Cavendish will likely remain the team's key objective in the Grand Tours.
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Martin said he was delighted with the move, which was well flagged and begins when his current deal with Cannondale-Garmin expires at the end of this year.
"I'm really excited to join the team, which has been a point of reference in cycling for years," he said.
"I hope to be able to take the next step in my career with Etixx-QuickStep.
"I would like to improve even more and establish consistency with my performances. I think I am entering an important moment of my career at my age.
Martin receives the combativity award at the end of stage 11 of the Tour de France. He believes he can target stage wins and the general classification with his new team, as well as the Ardennes classics.
"I feel I am stronger than ever, mentally and physically. Of course my season will be built around the Ardennes Classics, where I can join forces with Alaphilippe.
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"I hope to teach him some things and help him to evolve as a rider, while playing protagonist when I have the opportunity.
"I also would like to do well in the stage races, and maybe try again once in a grand tour for a good classification.
"I think I have potential to be a factor in the grand tours, whether it be stage hunting or in the overall classification.
"I am motivated to add to my top career performances, while proudly wearing the team colors of Etixx-QuickStep for the next two years."
Lefevere said signing Martin was an "important moment" for the team.
"He's a guy who was able in the past to win one-day races, but also stage races," he said of the Irishman who was 2nd on Thursday's stage 6 of the Vuelta and was 3rd overall starting Friday's stage 7.
"He has also been a GC contender at grand tours during his career. He is now 29-years-old, so he is at the peak of his career.
"He had an unlucky 2015 early season, but it is clear in his most recent performances, even at La Vuelta, that he has a lot of spirit.
"For the team this is also a key addition because Martin can be a presence in the Ardennes Classics, alongside young French rider Julian Alaphilippe.
"His contributions can be two-fold for Julian. Julian can learn a lot from a seasoned veteran like him.
"At the same time, Martin is a guy who has proven he can win at the Ardennes. So the peloton respects his presence as a contender, and this alleviates some pressure for Julian.
"This can be a bit of an Ardennes 'dynamic duo.' Martin is a complete rider who is able to perform well in stage races, one-day-races, and grand tours, and we are excited to see what he can do with an Etixx-QuickStep jersey on his back for the next two years."
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