Philippe Gilbert will join BMC next season.

The Belgian national road and time trial champion is currently ranked number two in the UCI rankings after 15 wins this season and will become a team-mate of the man ahead of him, Tour de France champion Cadel Evans.

BMC Racing Team President/General Manager Jim Ochowicz said: "He will act as one of our leaders during the classics and other races throughout the season."

"His power and tenacity will play a big role in support of Cadel's defense of his Tour de France title. Additionally, his experience will be shared in a mentorship role to the younger riders on the team like Taylor Phinney and Greg Van Avermaet as they continue to develop their skills in the classics."

Gilbert, whose wins this season include Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Flèche Wallonne, Amstel Gold and Clasica San Sebastian, has signed a three-year contract.

He said: "I know the team well. They are well-organized, very professional and a close group.

"My objectives are clear: to go for the one-day classics and then go to the Tour to learn and help Cadel. Next year with the start in Liege, it's close to my home. So I will try to win a stage and then help Cadel win the Tour."

BMC also announced the re-signing of seven riders.

Five of the winning Tour de France team will stay on: Brent Bookwalter, Marcus Burghardt, Steve Morabito, Manuel Quinziato and Michael Schär.

Martin Kohler and Mathias Frank have also extended their contracts, taking the total number of riders staying to do so to nine, after Evans and George Hincapie committed themselves earlier in the summer.

"These riders performed brilliantly throughout the 2011 season and played a major role in Cadel's victory at this year's Tour de France," said Ochowicz.

"We look forward to their continued dedication and performance within the BMC Racing Team family."

Eurosport