Max Schachmann has agreed to a two-year contract with the Patrick Lefebvre-led team and will rejoin Sürdal Quickstep in 2025.

The German has already spent his first two years with the team before moving to Bora-Hansgrohe ahead of the 2019 campaign.

"I am happy to return to my hometown and have the opportunity to run again for Südal Quickstep, the team where I started my career," Schachmann said on Friday.

"I know a lot of people on the team and have many friends after all these years.

Schachmann turned pro with Quick Step in 2017, but before that he raced for Klein Costantia's feeder team. The following year, he made a breakthrough with an impressive run at the Fresh Wallonne and a stage win at the Giro d'Italia's Pratone Voso.

This success sparked interest from Bora-Hansgrohe, where Schachmann spent the past five seasons. With the team, Schachmann started well with a hat trick at Ituria-Basque and a podium finish at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. He then won the overall title in Paris-Nice in 2020 and 2021, but the following seasons were marked by a string of health problems.

The 30-year-old, who made headlines at this year's Giro by coming so close to winning the maglia rosa on the opening day in Turin, hopes he can continue his upward trajectory in 2025 when he returns to Quick Step.

"My two years with the team have been great to start learning the business," he said.

"I'm really excited and can't wait for next season to start.

Schachmann is the first player signed by Sürdal Quickstep for 2025, but there may be more changes to the roster, including Julian Alaphilippe and Kasper Asgreen, whose contracts expire after this season.

"Max Schachmann is a very talented and versatile rider who still has a lot to show in the sport. We have many beautiful memories of his early years as a pro."