Jaico Arla believes he can turn Swiss rider Mauro Schmid into a successful classic and week-long stage racer over the next three years.

The 23-year-old Schmid, who has raced for Sourdal-Quick Step the past two seasons, would prefer more mentoring opportunities than riding for Remco Evenpoel.

Despite his young age, Schmidt has already won a stage at the 2021 Giro d'Italia. Moving to Quick Step the following year, Schmidt won the 2022 Baloise Belgian Tour and the 2023 Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali (Italy). He also finished fifth overall in this year's Tour Down Under, perhaps impressing Jayco Alura for the first time.

"I always like the team's style of racing and I think it suits my racing style. I want to bring a good spirit and experience to the team and continue to grow in the future and I know that Team Jayco Alula is the right place for that," Schmidt said. [I'm good on punchy, short climbs, and I'm also good at sprinting." I want to help Team Jayco Alula win as many races as possible over the next few years.

Jayco Alula expects Schmid to complement team leaders Simon Yates and Eddy Dunbar in the stage races.

"Mauro is a winner. We've already seen him win races and be competitive in the highest class races at a young age," said manager Brent Copeland.

"Classics and week-long stage races are where the Performance Group believes he is best suited. This contract will definitely strengthen our team in the areas we were looking for.

"We see Mauro as a long-term project and being on a three-year contract is great for the future of the team and we can build the team around him.