Current U23 World Champion Sven Erik Bystrøm extended his contract wilth WorldTour Team Katusha. The appropriate agreement was signed both by rider and team management.

Sven Erik Bystrøm was one of the key riders of the team during the spring classics. This season he helped Alexander Kristoff to win the Ronde van Vlaanderen as well as the Three-Days of De Panne-Koksijde. He was also part of the group guiding Kristoff to stage wins in the Tour of Qatar, Tour of Norway and Tour des Fjords. Moreover, he won the Best Young Rider Classification in the Circuit Cycliste Sarthe and was 7th in the Norwegian Road Championships.

"It is so fun for me to be in this team and have all of these victories. I am still learning but it is nice to see that Alexander Kristoff and the Team Management appreciate my work for the team. I can grow a lot in cycling and I am convinced this will happen with this group. Team Katusha is not pushing me – they give me the necessary time to evolve, I am still living a dream. When Team Katusha asked me to extend my agreement, I did not hesitate one second," said Sven Erik Bystrøm.

"Sven Erik has a lot of potential. This year he showed his skills in the “Kristoff races” but I am convinced he can do more than this. Also in the Ardennes and in smaller stages races he will surprise many people. The way he took last year’s world title in Ponferrada tells us enough. Sven Erik is still young. That’s why we give him the time to grow. We are sure Sven Erik will not disappoint us," explained General Manager Viacheslav Ekimov.

Details on the newly signed contract will not be disclosed.

After the Tour of Austria, where Sven Erik Bystrøm was part of the team winning the team time trial, he will resume competition in the Tour of Poland. Later he will start in the Arctic Race of Norway, Vattenfall Cyclassics and Grand Prix of Plouay.